THIRD WORLD NETWORK BIOSAFETY INFORMATION SERVICE

19 June 2004

Dear Friends and colleagues,

RE: NEW STUDY: DOUBTS OVER GM COTTON IN WEST AFRICA

We wish to bring to your attention a new report by GRAIN entitled “GM Cotton set to invade West Africa: Time to act!”, which considers the potential introduction of GM cotton in West Africa.

The report finds that Bt cotton, a variety that has been genetically engineered to be pesticides resistant, will not significantly reduce pesticide use nor provide any economic advantages to farmers in the region. Local cotton farmers, scientists and NGOs consulted for the study say it would be far more effective for public institutions to focus on supporting pesticide reduction programmes that have already proven successful and that do not depend on foreign technologies.

The full report is available online at: http://www.grain.org/briefings/?id=184.

GRAIN has also developed a website on Bt cotton that provides comprehensive research and analysis on the issue. (http://www.grain.org/research/btcotton.cfm).

With best wishes,

Lim Li Lin and Chee Yoke Heong

Third World Network

121-S Jalan Utama

10450 Penang

Malaysia

Email: twnet@po.jaring.my

Website: www.twnside.org.sg