AD calls for legal framework to protect environment and health from GMOs

During a round-table debate which discussed the EC’s proposals, Alternattiva Demokratika – The Green Party reaffirmed its position, saying that GMOs should be banned from the European Union.

“Cultivation of GMOs poses a threat to biodiversity particularly through cross pollination with other non GM plants,” AD spokesperson Simon Galea said, adding that pollination knows no borders or frontiers.

Following proposals brought forward by EU Commissioner for Health John Dalli, AD now calls for a legal framework.

“The framework should put the protection of human and animal health and the environment before any other interests including those of multi national companies involved in GMOs,” Galea said.

The Green Party claimed that GMO contamination includes negative economic impact on non GMO farmers mainly those practicing organic methods.

However, the discussion stirred more at discussing MEPA’s measures on how it analysed the EC’s proposal than the positive or negative effects GMOs can have on the social, environment, economic and health scenarios.

Darren Stivala and Joseph Abela Medici from MEPA said the Planning Authority had no position on the issue but it was simply doing a scientific analysis. “Malta is an isolated country, and if it opts to ban cultivation of GMOs, it won’t be affected by neighbouring countries who would have opted to cultivate them,” Abela Medici said, instigating uproar from those who are against GMOs.

“In Europe’s free trade, how can you verify movement of GMOs from one country to the other?” AD Chairperson Michael Briguglio said.

The MEPA spokespersons said there are seven criteria which MEPA had to abide to whilst conducting the scientific research and analysis on the report. Two of these were specifically aimed at studying risk and protecting farmers.

“[The criteria included] opposing GMOs which put the ecosystem at risk and protecting those natural products which are of high commercial value from GMOs,” Abela Medici explained. “However, another criterion stipulates that the one cannot oppose those GMOs which are clearly at no risk of proliferation.”

Asked to explain if there were any clear measures which notify consumers whether a product is a GMO or not, Tristan Camilleri from the Malta Standards Authority said that all products are labeled accordingly.

“If an ingredient of a product is a GMO, it will be marked so,” Camilleri said. “Even in cases where the producer might be in doubt when tracing back the origins of an ingredient, he will notify that there could be traces of GMOs.”

Camilleri said to help consumers, a new law will regulate the minimum font size required in the nutrition information box. “This will facilitate consumers’ choice when purchasing a product,” he said.

Commenting on products which part of their ingredients might be GMOs, Andre Portelli for Graffiti said these products have already made their way to Malta. Admitting that there are certain products, including maize, which part of their ingredients are GMOs, Camilleri said these were however limited.

“There are very few such products which are allowed to Malta. To make sure no other GMOs are available on the local market, inspectors from the Health Department do regular surveillance of the products.”