The Negros Organic Agriculture Movement has expressed support to the move of the provincial government to ban genetically modified organisms in Negros Occidental.

In its position paper signed by its 17 members, NOAM said that the banning of GMOs in the province is indispensable in attaining the goal of making Negros the "Organic Food Bowl in Asia."

The group's move came after the Sangguniang Panlalawigan passed in the first reading the ordinance that will prohibit the entry of GMO products in Negros Occidental.

"We totally agree with the provincial government that banning GMOs within the territorial jurisdiction of the province is indispensable in the attainment of such goal," NOAM said.

The group cited legal, economic and technical grounds as well as health and environmental considerations in stating their position. It said that most documented experiences in Spain, Canada, USA showed that GM crops produce lower yields at higher costs that resulted to lower income of farmers compared to farmers planting non-GM crops.

In the Philippines, they said, BT corn seed is two times more expensive than hybrid corn.

"A basic issue about GM crops is that it is not a precise technology and the GM products are not stable and it causes genetic pollution," NOAM said, adding that pests will easily develop immunity to GM crops, therefore, GM technologies are not reliable and not sustainable way to control pest.

The growing ill-effects of GM crops on health have affected people in South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, North Cotabato and Davao Oriental, they said.

On effects to the environment, NOAM also noted that GM corn contamination can occur up to 530 meters even at 19 days planting interval.

If contamination occurs, it could happen without the knowledge and consent of farmers and consumers alike, the group added.*NLG

back to top