Greens criticize MPs, warn about "GMO blackmail"

BELGRADE The Greens of Serbia protested after MPs refused to include the Declaration on GMO-Free Serbia into the agenda of the parliament session on Wednesday. The party said in a statement that the initiative was submitted by Greens of Serbia leader and MP Ivan Katic, but that only 65 MP supported it. Greens criticize MPs, warn about "GMO blackmail" The same declaration has already been adopted locally in 48 municipalities and cities, who declared their self-governments as territories without genetically modified organisms. The document has been supported by 36,000 signatures of citizens. "The state of Serbia needs to immediately strengthen its institutions and procedures necessary for a strict and complete control of GMOs and GMO products. The current legislation, although formally restrictive, has not been expanded with appropriate sub-laws and regulations, and therefore leaves room for abuses. The assessment of risk and benefits of GMO usage must take into account all aspects, on all levels, and until this happens, Serbia must protect itself against the interests of big companies," the Greens said in a statement. They also added that "out of 240 sovereign countries in the world only 37 have accepted the World Trade Organization conditions on the liberalization of GMOs." "The Greens of Serbia do not wish to accept the criminal act of blackmail by the WTO. Dare an independent country, that has been earning by producing, selling and exporting quality seeds, accept that? Dare we allow ourselves to one day become dependent on foreign GMO seeds, or on the will of others, when it comes to food?," the statement asked. Beta

Greens criticize MPs, warn about "GMO blackmail"

The same declaration has already been adopted locally in 48 municipalities and cities, who declared their self-governments as territories without genetically modified organisms. The document has been supported by 36,000 signatures of citizens.

"The state of Serbia needs to immediately strengthen its institutions and procedures necessary for a strict and complete control of GMOs and GMO products. The current legislation, although formally restrictive, has not been expanded with appropriate sub-laws and regulations, and therefore leaves room for abuses. The assessment of risk and benefits of GMO usage must take into account all aspects, on all levels, and until this happens, Serbia must protect itself against the interests of big companies," the Greens said in a statement.

They also added that "out of 240 sovereign countries in the world only 37 have accepted the World Trade Organization conditions on the liberalization of GMOs."

"The Greens of Serbia do not wish to accept the criminal act of blackmail by the WTO. Dare an independent country, that has been earning by producing, selling and exporting quality seeds, accept that? Dare we allow ourselves to one day become dependent on foreign GMO seeds, or on the will of others, when it comes to food?," the statement asked.