US/WTO pressure on Sri Lanka, supplemented by far right free marketeers in corordination with AgBioWorld supporters, is being joined at the local level by growing industry pressure.
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1. Sri Lanka Urged To Postpone GM Food Controls
2. SAMPLE LETTER TO SRI LANKAN HEALTH MINISTRY - DON'T LIFT THE BAN
***copy/paste/adapt and e-mail TODAY***
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1. Sri Lanka Urged To Postpone GM Food Controls
COLOMBO, Aug 20 (Reuters) - Sri Lanka's business community appealed to the government on Monday to delay plans to bring back tough controls on genetically modified (GM) food on September 1.
The restrictions were first introduced in May but removed a month later at the request of the World Trade Organisation to give exporters in other countries more time to adjust. The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce said the controls, which require 21 categories of food imports to be free of GM products, should be delayed until 2003 when a U.N. commission will announce an international standards regime for GM foods.
"We would appreciate if consideration is given to defer the current provisional regulations banning the importation of GM foods," the chamber said in a statement. The chamber said the government should concentrate on regulating the advertising and labelling of GM foods.
The government says the controls would allow Sri Lanka time to assess any risks to human health from GM foods. Sri Lanka lacks the capability to test imports for genetic modification and plans to rely on certification in countries of origin until such a system is in place.
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2. SAMPLE LETTER TO SRI LANKAN HEALTH MINISTRY
To: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Secretary, Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medicine "Suwasiripaya" 385 Wimalawansa Mawatha Colombo 10
Dear Sir,
Ban on GM Foods
Like many people around the world we are outraged by the U.S. Government's pressure on the democratic Sri Lankan Government over its GM food import ban. Sri Lanka should not become a testing ground for untested and uncertain products but should continue with its plan to put the interests of its citizens and consumers, as well as of those visiting the country, first.
We are extremely disturbed to learn that you have appointed a committee to look into this ban, and we trust that the aim of this committee is NOT to move towards removing the ban so courageously promulgated by the Food Advisory Committee (FAC) of your own Ministry. We are equally disturbed to learn that this committee has been appointed without the knowledge of the members of the FAC.
We urge you to let this ban go ahead on September 1, in accordance with the present regulations, and not to succumb to the unreasonable demands either of mercenary elements within the business community, who are more preoccupied with their own profits and convenience than consumer safety, or of countries who have absolutely no right to interfere or threaten Sri Lanka's sovereign right to protect her citizens.
You will win world-wide respect by courageously upholding the ban. It is a move that will be popular with citizens around the world and undoubtedly can only asssist Sri Lanka's political credibility as well as its tourism industry, putting Sri Lanka on the map for all the right reasons.
Please stand firm and do not surrender to US/corporate tyrrany.
Yours faithfully,