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statement
Landmark
decision in Atan ak Balon¡¯s case
Speech deliver by WONG SING NANG, DAP Sarawak FOOD PRODUCTS CONTAIN GMOs BE LABELLED GMOs
– MORATORIUM on GM Crops
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Author: WONG SING NANG
Date: 03-23-2000 18:07 Our Ref: WSN/DUN/L/2000/Jac Date: 23rd March, 2000
Y.B. Datuk Haji Effendi bin Norwawi,
Dear Sir, re: GMOs - MANDATORY LABELLING OF ALL FOOD & AGRICULTURE PRODUCTS
I refer to the above captioned matter. Recently, there are public debates as to the uncertain health and ecological effects of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and foods that have appeared in the markets. Genetically altered foods are those that contain organisms that have been genetically engineered, which means manipulated to contain genes from other unrelated organisms. Take for example, ?Bt corn?. This corn has been engineered to express a toxin gene from the soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) to make the crop resistant to certain types of pests. Following the publication of a study conducted by Cornell University on the detrimental effects of Bt. corn pollen on monarch butterflies, the European Union (EU) ordered the review of the application for field trial of Bt. corn by Pioneer Hi-Bred. The government of Austria ordered a ban on the field trial of Bt. corn as a precautionary measure. Let us just examine the seemingly innocuous soybean which is said to be present in 60 per cent of processed foods that we eat everyday, including chocolates, cakes and breads. USA, Argentina, Canada are the main sources of key agricultural products
that reach our country. These three nations account for 99% of the global
transgenic acreage including corn, soybeans and canola.
We can infer that these GMOs may have already in our markets. In September, 1998, the EU banned the importation of genetically engineered crops, particularly corn and soybeans, in reaction to consumer pressures and recent scientific studies on the detrimental effects of GMOs on human health and environment. The EU later issued a directive requiring mandatory labeling of all GMOs crops and foods in the market. The governments of Norway and Denmark banned the commercialization of GMOs foods. In view of the above-mentioned considerations, kindly take precautionary measures to prevent GMOs crops to be introduced into our agricultural system and food chain and impose mandatory labeling of GMOs food in the market. I trust your Honour shall look into this matter urgently. Legislation
needs to be introduced to stop GMOs foods and crops in our market.
Yours faithfully,
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