Brussels 22nd November 2006. A four member delegation from SAAPE (South Asia Association for Poverty Eradication), a civil society network from South Asia, met with several members of the European Institutions and EU officials last week, demanding that development policies are developed on agriculture promoting livelihoods and food sovereignty. The delegation expressed concern over the EU’s weakening position on genetically modified organisms (GMO).  The use of GMOs in crops is creating serious ecological, economical and social problems in South Asia.

The four member team included Mr. Prem Dangal, from Nepal as the team leader, Mr. Shahid Zia from Pakistan, Dr. Ramanjaneyulu from India and Mr. Rezaul Chowdhury from Bangladesh and their partners from the European NGO network, Eurostep based in Brussels.

The delegation is concerned that the EU decided yesterday not to appeal the World Trade Organisation’s ruling that it had illegally blocked genetically modified food imports from the US, Canada and Argentina. “We feel the use of GMOs cannot be tolerated in South Asia, where large numbers of livelihoods depend on agriculture.  Instead, sustainable models in agriculture should be promoted” stated Dr. Ramanjaneyulu, from the Centre of Sustainable Development based in Hyderabad.

The delegation pointed to the increasing evidence of health problems among farm labourers working in the GMO field as well as the increasing numbers of deaths in cattle who have eaten leaves from GMO plants.

Because of the increase of GMO crops, seed prices would further increase, aggravating the precarious situation of small farmers. “The sheer number of farmer suicides and displaced farmers because they cannot sustain livelihoods due to commercialisation of agricultural inputs, which impact on the costs of agricultural production in South Asia, is extremely worrying” stated Mr Dangal, Secretary General of the All Nepal Peasants Association in Nepal.

The SAAPE team also expressed their concern over the proposal of opening negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement between the EU and India. “These negotiations will have an important impact on the livelihood of our small farmers, which make up 60% of our population, as well as those in our neighbouring countries in SAARC”, said Dr. Ramanjaneyulu. “

“Europe has a key role to play in the world by maintaining a sensible and wise position on GMOs. Europe should not accept that unnecessary health risks in the Third World or European consumers are taken as long as there is insufficient evidence.” states Eurostep Director Simon Stocker.