Activists occupy French GE facility

" Over 75 activists have occupied the Monsanto seed facility in Trebes, France, and are currently holding a citizens inspection in the search for genetically engineered (GE) corn seeds. They have demanded that Monsanto and the French authorities stop import and distribution of GE corn seed into France. "We are here to demand that the French authorities ban GE seed and in the interim corporate conglomerate Monsanto must stop hiding where these environmentally destructive [corn] seeds are to be grown. Farmers and consumers have the right to know where GE seeds are entering agriculture and the food-chain, so they can protect themselves against genetic contamination," said Jose Bove from Faucheurs Volontaires. The "GE free citizens inspection unit" consisting of over 100 conventional and organic farmers, members of the public and activists from across Europe were met by over 50 policemen, including some with police dogs. But over 75 activists managed to occupy the facility, effectively shutting it down. The protesters aim to stop distribution of GE corn seeds, and to influence the new GE law currently being discussed in the French Parliament. The new law, if passed, would allow massive genetic contamination of both organic and conventional corn. "We are putting Monsanto on notice, along with each and every Biotech firm that is contaminating our fields and our food supply now–or has future plans to introduce GE seeds–this is the beginning, we will not stop until France is declared a GE free zone," said Olivier Keller, national secretary of the Confederation Paysanne. "GE is harming the environment and is causing genetic contamination of the food chain and agriculture, thus threatening the right of farmers and consumers to grow and eat GE free food. Recently thousands have taken to the streets in Vienna, France, and other countries around the world to protest against these unjust practices. Governments must now listen to their people and 'cease and desist' on the importation and growing of GE seed," said Geert Ritsema, Greenpeace International GE campaigner. On Apr. 13 the Slovakian inspectorate of environment published a decision that states Monsanto will not distribute their GE corn for the 2006 growing season there, effectively shutting out, sales of GE corn for the next year. The halt was put in place, due in part, to pressure from Greenpeace on the Slovakian inspectorate to answer growing concerns about environmental damage and contamination caused by GE corn. "Resistance against GE in our fields and food has been growing globally since its release onto the market nearly 10 years ago. In Europe alone 172 regions have declared themselves GE free, and around the world many other governments, farmers and citizens are uniting to keep their countries GE free," concluded Ritsema.