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TWN Info Service on Free
Trade Agreements
09 April 2007
Scientist Warns of US FTA Used to Push GE Rice
Dr. Michael K Hansen, from the US-based Consumer Policy Institute urged
Malaysia to be cautious in its negotiations with
the US on an FTA
as the US might have a hidden agenda, that is to sell
its unwanted genetically engineered (GE) rice to Malaysia.
Recently, US long-grain
rice in the US
was found to have been contaminated with GE varieties which have not
been approved for commercial release. Its safety for human consumption
is also questionable. As a result, the US
is now facing billions of dollars in losses from a lack of demand for
the GE rice.
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Third World Network
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Desa Sri Hartamas
50480 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: +603-2300 2585
Fax: +603-2300 2595
email: twnkl@po.jaring.my
websites: www.twnside.org.sg and www.ftamalaysia.org
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(http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/archive.asp?y=2007&dt=0406&pub=Utusan_Malaysia&sec=Dalam_Negeri&pg=dn_03.htm)
Beras import belum tentu selamat dimakan
6 April 2007, Utusan Malaysia
PUTRAJAYA 5 April – Tahukah kita bahawa tidak semua beras dari luar
negara berkualiti dan selamat dimakan.
Ini kerana beras yang dihasilkan melalui teknologi kejuruteraan genetik
(GE) berlebihan adalah tercemar dan boleh mendatangkan kesan negatif
kepada penggunanya.
Perkara itu didedahkan oleh pakar Biologi dan Ekologikal Entomologis
dari Amerika Syarikat (AS), Dr. Michael K. Hansen
Hansen yang juga Penyelidik Kanan Bersekutu di Institut Dasar Pengguna
iaitu satu bahagian dalam Kesatuan Pengguna berpangkalan di AS menegaskan,
ujian mendapati beras-beras yang dihasilkan melalui kaedah GE terutama
yang di AS adalah tercemar.
‘‘Sebenarnya, petani di AS kerugian berbilion-bilion dolar kerana produk
mereka gagal dipasarkan ke negara-negara luar.
‘‘Sebab itu Malaysia
perlu berwaspada dengan sikap AS yang beria-ia mahu menjayakan matlamatnya
itu.
‘‘Vietnam
contohnya mengambil tindakan menghentikan import beras dari AS akibat
faktor GE dan AS semakin terdesak memasarkan produk beras itu,” katanya
ketika berucap pada majlis penerangan makanan ubah suai genetik (GM)
di sini, hari ini.
Sehubungan itu, beliau meminta Malaysia
berhati-hati dalam Rundingan Perjanjian Perdagangan Bebas (FTA) dengan
AS terutama mengenai isu beras.
Menurutnya, AS
sebenarnya mempunyai agenda tersembunyi untuk menjaga kepentingan petaninya
yang kini mengalami kerugian lebih RM4.6 bilion kerana beras keluaran
mereka tidak dapat dieksport ke luar negara.
Tindakan Malaysia enggan
berkompromi dengan AS berhubung produk pertanian bijak kerana isu beras
merupakan salah satu daripada 58 isu yang terkandung dalam FTA, katanya.
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English translation
No Guarantee Imported Rice Safe for Consumption
In an article in Utusan Malaysia on 6 April 2007, Dr. Michael
K Hansen, from US Centre of Consumer Policy was reported as stating
that not all imported rice is of quality and safe for consumption. Studies
have shown that rice produced by GE processes in the US can be contaminated and have negative
effects if consumed. Due to this, farmers in the US are facing
billions in losses from a lack of demand for GE crop. For example, Vietnam has ceased importing rice from the US and the Government
is under increasing pressure to market GE rice overseas. Dr. Michael
advised a cautious attitude towards an FTA with the US
as the US
has a hidden agenda in negotiating the FTA, seeking to protect its farmers
who now face more than RM4.6 billion in losses due to the lack of demand
for GE rice. He further stated that the uncompromising stance taken
by the Malaysian government on agricultural products, which includes
rice, in negotiating the FTA is wise.
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