1.GM protest at Monsanto HQ
2.Monsanto's GM food, formula and canola dumped at HQ
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1.GM protest at Monsanto HQ
Weekly Times, October 15 2010
http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/article/2010/10/15/246661_latest-news.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
PROTESTERS dumped what they labelled "GM-canola weeds and GM-contaminated soy infant formula S-26" at Monsanto's Melbourne office today.
The Weekly Times observed about a dozen protesters outside Monsanto's office in St Kilda Rd just after noon.
The protest was timed to coincide with UN World Food Day, a statement from anti-GM lobby group Gene Ethics said.
Bags of GM canola plants collected from roadsides were to be dumped with Monsanto, the "owners of patented GM seed", the group said.
Processed foods that contained unlabelled GM soy, corn, canola and cottonseed were also to be dumped.
The group said Wyeth's soy formula S-26 had consistently tested positive for GM soy and corn but remained unrecalled and unlabelled.
Wyeth claimed the GM contamination was "accidental", the group said.
The protest also involved Mothers Are Demystifying Genetic Engineering, and members of the Latin American community, the group said.
The statement said all were outraged at GM contaminating Australian food and ecosystems.
They also said they had concerns about the effects of GM soy on the health of citizens and farmers in South America where GM soy dominated agriculture.
Fran Murrell, who co-founded MADGE, said shoppers must have a right to choose GM-free foods but the loopholes in Australia's weak labelling laws allowed most GM foods to remain unlabelled.
"Unlike the EU, processed GM food ingredients such as canola oil, sugars and starches are unlabelled in Australia," Ms Murrell said.
"Our food authority (FSANZ) exempts up to 1 per cent 'accidental' GM-food contamination from labelling.
"Some processors are misusing the 'accidental' threshold in the food standard to mask routine GM contamination of soy baby formula and other products that should have a GM label."
"We encourage all concerned parents to tell Federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon that they want our labelling laws changed to require all foods made using GM techniques to be labelled.
"When it reports, the national food labelling review should mandate GM labels."
Gene Ethics director Bob Phelps said upcoming state elections in Victoria and NSW were a great chance for everyone to vote for renewed bans on GM canola, before our food and environment were completely GM-contaminated.
"The Victorian and NSW state governments ignored the concerns of most shoppers and farmers when they lifted their bans on growing commercial GM canola in 2008.
"Only 8 per cent of the national canola crop is GM this year.
"But GM contamination of our food supply chains threatens the $15/tonne premium now paid for GM-free canola.
"The state governments are responsible for protecting local and export markets and the premiums show that most people will not buy or eat GM food."
"Meanwhile, Monsanto must accept responsibility for the impacts of its polluting GM canola seed, by accepting liability for any GM contamination and cleaning up GM canola weeds where they emerge."
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2.Monsanto's GM food, formula and canola dumped at HQ
Gene Ethics, Friday October 15
To mark UN World Food Day, mothers and shoppers will dump rogue GM canola weeds, and GM contaminated soy infant formula S-26, at Monsanto's headquarters today at Noon.
The protest includes Mothers Are Demystifying Genetic Engineering (MADGE), GM-free advocacy group Gene Ethics, and members of the Latin American community. All are outraged at GM contaminating Australian food and ecosystems. They also share concerns about the impacts of GM soy on the health of citizens and farmers in South America where GM soy dominates agriculture.
Bags of GM canola plants collected from roadsides will be dumped with the owners of patented GM seed. Processed foods that contain unlabelled GM soy, corn, canola and cottonseed will also be dumped at Monsanto's HQ. Wyeth's soy formula S-26 has consistently tested positive for GM soy and corn but remains unrecalled and unlabelled. Wyeth claims the GM contamination is "accidental".
MADGE co-founder Fran Murrell says shoppers must have a right to choose GM-free foods but the loopholes in Australia's weak labelling laws allow most GM foods to remain unlabelled
"Unlike the EU, processed GM food ingredients such as canola oil, sugars and starches are unlabelled in Australia," Ms Murrell says. "Our food authority (FSANZ) exempts up to 1% 'accidental' GM food contamination from labelling. Some processors are misusing the 'accidental' threshold in the food standard to mask routine GM contamination of soy baby formula and other products that should have a GM label."
"We encourage all concerned parents to tell Federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon that they want our labelling laws changed to require all foods made using GM techniques to be labelled. When it reports, the national food labelling review should mandate GM labels."
Gene Ethics Director Bob Phelps says the state elections coming up in Victoria and NSW will be a great chance for everyone to vote for renewed bans on GM canola, before our food and environment are completely GM contaminated.
"The Victorian and NSW State Governments ignored the concerns of most shoppers and farmers when they lifted their bans on growing commercial GM canola in 2008. Only 8% of the national canola crop is GM this year. But GM contamination of our food supply chains threatens the $15/tonne premium now paid for GM-free canola. The state governments are responsible for protecting local and export markets and the premiums show that most people will not buy or eat GM food."
"Meanwhile, Monsanto must accept responsibility for the impacts of its polluting GM canola seed, by accepting liability for any GM contamination and cleaning up GM canola weeds where they emerge."
WHAT: Protest & GM canola weeds and food return at
WHERE: Monsanto headquarters, 12/600 St Kilda Road, Melbourne
WHEN: Friday, October 15, Noon
Further information or interviews:
Bob Phelps, Gene Ethics Executive Director: (03) 9347 4500, 0449 769 066
Fran Murrell, MADGE co-founder: 0401 407 944