World Consumer Rights Day 2005 focus

African consumers say NO to GMOS

12 March 2005 – Harare, Zimbabwe - On 15 March 2005, World Consumer Rights
Day, African consumer organizations, together with consumer groups all over
the world, will say NO to GMOs! Consumer International Africa Office
(CI-ROAF), directly or through its member organizations, will lobby
governments, hold public meetings and street demonstrations to stop the
spread of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). They will demand labelling
of all GM foods and independent safety testing.

Consumers have a right to information, a right to choice and a right to
safety. On 15 March consumer organisations will campaign for labelling of
all foods containing or derived from GMOs. They will demand that
alternatives to GM foods remain widely available. Ways must be found to
establish and secure GM-free areas, and strict rules introduced to prevent
contamination of conventional and organic crops. All foods containing or
derived from GMOs must be independently tested and subject to international
safety guidelines.

Amadou Kanouté, Regional Director for Consumers International Africa Office
said: “To date, GM crops do not offer any significant advantages to
consumers. It is widely understood that they will not solve the problem of
hunger in Africa and the rest of the world.

“There are simple and adequate technologies developed together by African
researchers and farmers, which are gaining ground. Unfortunately, those
technologies do not enjoy as much promotion and support as their GMO
challengers. Lets emphasise on these available alternatives lest we
overestimate the ability of science to master the unknown. Consequently,
caution and the precautionary principle must be applied when dealing with
GMOs.”

Consumers International has released three fact sheets, for World Consumer
Rights Day, covering key issues on GMOs: Why consumers should take action;
Get your food labelled; and “Co-existence” or GM-free zones?  CI members are
receiving ideas for action, such as events and lobbying, and model letters
for international and national authorities and retailers. These materials
are available on CI website: www.consumersinternational.org/wcrd
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CI-ROAF has an observer status with the United Nations Economic and Social
Council and its specialised agencies such as FAO, WHO, Codex Alimentarius as
well as with regional institutions such as the Economic Community of West
African States (ECOWAS). CI-ROAF co-ordinates and provides support through
research, information networks, publications, regional and international
seminars, workshops to more than 120 organisations in 46 countries in
Africa.