Resistance to genetically engineered crops growing:Greenpeace

New Delhi, Jan 19 (UNI) Environment NGO Greenpeace has claimed that resistance to genetically engineered crops continues to grow, among farmers, consumers and governments.

A summary of 'Global reaction against genetic engineering in 2006', released by Greenpeace provided solid evidence that resistance to genetically engineered crops continued to grow, among farmers, consumers and governments, a statement said here today.

The Greenpeace summary was released just hours before the release of an annual report by the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications, a think-tank supported by the agrochemical industry.

''There is irrefutable evidence that governments, farmers and consumers throughout the world recognise that GE is unreliable, unviable or downright dangerous,'' said Jeremy Tager, campaigner for Greenpeace International.

''Market reaction to the recent rice contamination scandal was of near epidemic proportions.., and some countries are banning GE altogether.'' ''Romania, for instance, which had 85,000 hectares planted with GE soy in 2005, will drop to zero this year, in keeping with the new government policy banning the cultivation of GE soy.'' The most significant demonstration of GE rejection was the rapid, widespread aftermath of Bayer's LLRICE601 contamination scandal. In August 2006, the US government announced that significant amounts of US long grain rice were found to be contaminated with an unapproved genetically engineered variety -- LLRICE601, it was stated in the summary.

The news elicited strong reactions from rice farmers and processors, as well as governments worldwide. Rice producers of California and a major rice mill in the state called for a prohibition on any cultivation of GE rice (including field trials) in California.

Large sectors of the rice industry, including Ebro Puleva, the world's largest rice processor, are committed to being GE-free.

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