THIRD WORLD NETWORK BIOSAFETY INFORMATION SERVICE

24 November 2004

Dear Friends and colleagues,

RE: IUCN CALLS FOR MORATORIUM ON FUTURE RELEASES OF GMOS

Members of the world’s largest conservation group, the World Conservation Union (IUCN) agreed at a congress meeting, to call for a halt on the further release of genetically-modified organisms (GMOs) in order to safeguard against its possible adverse effect on biological resources, and human and animal health.

For further details on this significant decision, please read the press release from IUCN and the two press articles.

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

REF: Doc.TWN/Biosafety/2004/G

Item 1

World Conservation Congress approves moratorium on further release of genetically modified organisms.

For Immediate Release

Bangkok, Thailand

22 November 2004

Members of the IUCN 2004 World Conservation Congress voted today to approve a moratorium on the further release of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) until such time that they can be demonstrated, beyond reasonable doubt, to be safe for biodiversity, human health, and the health of livestock. Nearly seventy percent of the nations and non-governmental organizations voted for the moratorium, even after several days of intensive behind-the-scenes lobbying by agribusiness interests.

“This is a great day for biodiversity, human health, and food security world-wide,” said Mr. Antonio Claparols of the Ecological Society of the Philippines, the sponsor of the resolution. “Until it can be shown that GMOs pose no near- or long-term threat to life on Earth, we must invoke the Precautionary Principle.”

The resolution provides a clear mechanism for undertaking a state-of-the-science report, to be delivered within one year, presenting current knowledge on the development, dispersal, and impacts of GMOs.

Responding to suggestions for amending the resolution during the Plenary debate, Mr. Tashi Tsering, delegation head of Tibet Justice Center and a co-sponsor of the resolution, said “We welcome the amendments proposed by our friends from Senegal. There is an especially strong need for disseminating information about GMOs to developing countries.”

“The Senegalese amendment sent a clear signal,” said Mr.Alec Marr, of the Australian Wilderness Society and a co-sponsor of the bill. “IUCN must not only promote and share sound science, it must also use transparent, participatory governance in bringing this knowledge to the rest of the world.”

The unregulated rise of GMOs world-wide in recent years has led to concern among scientists and government officials alike. Scientists are learning that GMOs know no boundaries, degrading genetic diversity of crop seeds and then expanding beyond farmscapes into adjacent areas of biodiversity. In the process, they degrade complex soil ecology and habitat for beneficial insects, thus affecting mammals and birds and killing the very biodiversity that GMO proponents claim to care about.

Bangkok Contacts:  Mr. Tashi Tsering:   +66 02 123 2844

Item 2

GMOs release blocked at World Conservation Congress www.chinaview.cn 2004-11-23

BANGKOK, Nov. 23 (Xinhuanet)-- The World Conservation Union (IUCN) has agreed to impose a moratorium on the further release of genetically-modified organisms (GMOs) in a bid to guard against its possible adverse effect on biological resources, local press reported here on Tuesday.

After discussion among 1,000 plus IUCN members, the congress approved the proposed resolution, which demanded a moratorium on further release of GMOs until it can be demonstrated posing no threat to biodiversity and human and animal health.

According to the resolution, GMO products have been introduced and promoted across the world, especially in developing countries, with inadequate control on their entry into national or regional markets.

So far, the potential role of GMOs in achieving global food security has not been adequatedly defined.

The resolution set one-year deadline for the director-general of IUCN to compile a report on GMOs’ impacts on biodiversity and human health.

Although the IUCN resolution were not legally binding, the member countries were morally obliged to carry out the adopted items, Schwann Tunhikorn, of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plants, was quoted by Bangkok Post newspaper as saying.

The assembly on Monday approved another motion calling on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and Mekong river riparian states to crack down on illegal wildlife trade by making related law enforcement more effective and reinforcing controls on airport and land borders. End item

Item 3

IUCN Urges Time Out for Genetically Modified Organisms

BANGKOK, Thailand, November 22, 2004 (ENS) - Members of the world’s largest conservation organization today called for a halt to the release of genetically modified organisms. Meeting in Bangkok, delegates from 1,000 organizations at the IUCN World Conservation Congress are debating 114 motions to decide the future direction of IUCN - The World Conservation Union.

IUCN Director General Achim Steiner is leading 4,000 delegates from governments and nongovernmental organizations through two weeks of heated debates and tough decisions. (Photo courtesy IISD)

The question with respect to genetically modified organisms boiled down to whether the IUCN should encourage a moratorium on genetically modified organisms, or help establish a sound body of knowledge on their environmental risks and impacts. At the Members Business Assembly today, delegates from both the government and the NGO sectors approved a moratorium by a wide margin.