"Biotech will not feed the world" say Oxfam Canada, Greenpeace and CUSO

Canadian press wire:
Attention News Editors/Environmental Reporters:

OTTAWA, Oct. 11 /CNW/ 

Three Canadian advocacy and development agencies warned today not to 
look to genetically engineered food to solve the problem of world hunger. 
Oxfam Canada, Greenpeace and CUSO are releasing new studies on biotechnology 
and food security in anticipation of the 20th anniversary of World Food Day, 
October 16th, an international day of hunger awareness.

    "The world has enough food to feed everyone," said Oxfam Canada
Executive Director Rieky Stuart, "but 800 million poor people can't afford it."
Oxfam Canada warned that genetic engineering will only increase the vast
inequalities that keep people hungry. "There is no techno-fix to the
problem of hunger," Ms. Stuart added. "Resources would be better spent on
sustainable development."

    Greenpeace is releasing a report entitled The False Promise of
Genetically Engineered Rice. "The world needs long term programs to
increase diet diversity and food security, not the discredited single nutrient
approach of genetically engineered rice." said Greenpeace campaigner Michael
Khoo. "In the short term, genetically engineered rice is the most expensive,
slowest and most ecologically dangerous way to address problems like Vitamin A
deficiency. This is an idea that was conceived in the board room, not in the field."

    "Genetic engineering is not a solution to world hunger." CUSO
Regional Director Cindy Moriarty stated. "Lack of food is not the underlying
cause of world hunger. It is lack of money to buy food, lack of access to land or
water to grow food, inequitable food distribution, and politics. The push to
embrace genetic engineering has not only a direct impact on farmers, consumers,
the food supply and the environment in the developing world but also right
here at home in Canada." CUSO's booklet is called, Taking A Closer Look At
Genetic Engineering.

    The agencies saluted Oxfam Hong Kong and Greenpeace China who are
holding a press conference in Hong Kong to critique biotech on World Food Day.
Information by Oxfam Hong Kong and Greenpeace China will be available in

Cantonese on the 16th at: (www.oxfam.org.hk) and
(www.greenpeace-china.org.hk)