Oppose all developments that will advance the green revolution and the corporate capture of food systems
Aug 4, 2021
MASIPAG Advocacy
Greetings!
Last July 21, 2021, the Department of Agriculture of Philippines approved the permit for the commercial propagation of the highly contested GM yellow rice, called ‘Golden Rice’ (GR). Several CSOs, experts, and other concerned individuals gathered to craft an action plan on how to combat Golden Rice in different areas and platforms.
We attached a unity statement reiterating our calls to junk the recently approved and railroaded permit, oppose other advances of the Green Revolution in the country, and end the corporate capture of our food and agricultural systems. We request that you and/or your organization become a signatory. We also request that you and/or your organization help us reach out to other audiences and potential allies in this campaign. This statement will be posted on our social media pages and website. This will also be presented in our activities.
For individual signatories, sign here: https://forms.gle/13GRghpY2aVcMS177
For organizations, you may upload your logos here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Oewj6Z28bZPz6GDa11Tw5ElGxwMJkc8M?usp=sharin or you may send it directly to us.
The deadline for signing is on August 8, 8:00 PM.
Thanks,
MASIPAG
Last July 21, 2021, the Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Plant Industry (DA-BPI) approved the commercial propagation of GR2E, a genetically modified type of rice that it calls Golden Rice due to its yellow color. The approval blindsided the broad coalition of Filipino farmers, consumers, scientists, lawyers, and the general public who have been campaigning for greater public participation, transparency in the results of the biosafety process, and independence in the risk assessments of this GM product given rice is a daily staple in the Philippines and its production has profound impacts on health, the environment, the economy, and Philippine society and culture. Neither Da-BPI nor the Philippine Rice Research Institute has given any in-depth satisfactory response to the Filipino public’s request.
On August 9, 2021, 10 AM, the Stop Golden Rice! Network is hosting a press conference to provide various perspectives on this surprise approval of GMO rice for production and consumption. The Philippines is being hailed for being the first government and country in the world to commercially grow, distribute and eat this GMO rice. Is it really a cause for celebration…or concern? Did the joint agencies follow regulatory procedures or were there lapses? What are the legal implications of this latest move from DA-PhilRice? What are the immediate and long-term impacts of GMO rice in the Philippines on Filipino people, especially the local rice farmers and poor households who are at the crosshairs as the growers and consumers of this GM food? How does this affect the local rice industry on top of the Rice Liberalization Law? Are there other sectors that may be gravely affected by the GR2E propagation?
To offer a holistic perspective, the press conference will be joined by doctors, scientists, lawyers, consumers, farmers, and local government leaders.
#DefendOurRice
#FightForOurRights
#FoodSecurityForAll
#StopGoldenRice
