In Romania, the GMO Free Regions campaign started in 2006. It’s a concept developed globally by NGOs, local authorities and institutions.


What does GMO Free Region mean?

The “GMO Free Region” concept refers to a public statement which shows the position of various society actors regarding the use of Genetically Modified Organisms either for cultivation or for consumption.

By declaring a region GMO free genetically modified organisms cannot be legally banned. Though, local authorities benefit from local autonomy, they cannot legally ban the cultivation or consumption of genetically modified organisms because the European legislation bans the legal implementation of these decisions.

This declaration is a democratic way put pressure on central authorities, to ban the use of GMOs in agriculture (cultivation) and in the food chain (marketing of genetically modified products for animal and human consumption).
Also, the GMO Free Region concept promotes a durable agriculture, respecting the principles of precaution regulated in the Biosecurity Protocol from Cartagena, and environmental and consumer health.
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The importance of Local Action Groups in the declaration of new GMO free Regions

Local Action Groups (LAGs) are made up of public and private partners from the rural territory, and must include representatives from different socio-economic sectors. They receive financial assistance to implement local development strategies, by awarding grants to local projects. They are selected by the managing authority of the Member State, which is either a national, regional or local, private or public body responsible for the management of the programme.

Local Action Groups play an important role in the creation of new GMO Free Regions because of the diversity of its members: local authorities, NGOs and the private sector.

Adding the GMO free Region declaration into the sustainable development strategy of a microregion will bring direct and indirect benefits for the area under the administration of the LAG, also presenting a solution for a sustainable agriculture for the present and the future generations.

Declaring a Region GMO Free by a LAG represents an official position expressing that the Local Action Group does not want genetically modified crop cultivation on the administrative area of the Group.

The time has come for Local Action Groups to take a stand against this problem and to express their worries against the risks posed by GMOs, signing the GMO Free Region Declaration. This declaration is essential in the planning of a sustainable development strategy for the regional agriculture.

The model of the declaration ca be downloaded here (in Romanian).

The Genetically Modified Organisms Information Center – InfOMG supports local and regional communities in their action of declaring themselves GMO free Regions through informations regarding the risks of GMOs, participation in debates, seminars, conferences with the public and decisional factors, increasing visibility in the media of these approaches.
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GMO Free Zones in Romania: (click to enlarge maps)

















In Romania, at this point, 57 local authorities and 24 restaurants have expressed their public position as GMO Free Zones.  
 

They signed a declaration of will through which they asked for a local and national GMO ban, also requesting that county, regional and national politicians to ensure that the non-GMO producing farmers’ interests are legally protected. Also, the signing authorities oblige themselves to use democratic ways, like discussions and other educational activities, to convince farmers not to grow GMOs on their land.

See here a model of the GMO Free Zone declaration.
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GMO Free Region Hartibaciu - Sibiu County
See here the press release launching the Hartibaciu GMO Free Region.













Sibiu county : Cornatel (commune), Rosia (commune), Vurpar (commune), Agnita (city), Nocrich (commune), Mihaileni (commune), Altina (commune), Chirpar (commune), Bruiu (commune), Merghindeal (commune), Birghis (commune), Iacobeni (commune), Bradeni (commune).
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GMO Free Region in Bistrita Nasaud county
See here the press release launching the Bistrita-Nasaud GMO Free Region.

 

Bistrita Nasaud county: Chiochis (commune), Chiuzoi (commune), Cosbuc (commune), Dumitra (commune), Feldru (commune), Ilva Mica (commune), Ilva Mare (commune), Lesu (commune), Lunca Ilvei (commune), Maieru (commune), Magura Ilvei (commune), Nasaud (city), Nimigea (commune), Nuseni (commune), Parva (commune), Poiana Ilvei (commune), Rebra (commune), Rebrisoara (commune), Rodna (commune), Romuli (commune), Runcu Salvei (commune), Salva (commune), Sangeorz Bai (city), Sant (commune), Telciu (commune), Zagra (commune).
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GMO Free Region in Cluj county
See here the press release launching the Cluj GMO Free Region.

  

Cluj County : Belis (commune), Calatele (commune), Ciucea (commune), Huedin (city), Izvorul Crisului (commune), Maguri Racatau (commune), Manastireni (commune), Margau (commune), Marisel (commune), Negreni (commune), Poieni (commune), Rasca (commune), Sacuieu (commune), Sancraiu (commune).

Other GMO Free Zones:

Brasov county : Sinca Noua (commune)

Valcea county: Ionesti (commune)
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GMO Free Restaurants.

This initiative belongs to the Agent Green Association. Up to date there are 24 restaurants that publicly expressed their will of not using GMOs in their own kitchens. All of these restaurants are placed in various locations in Bucharest. The full list of the GMO Free Restaurants can be seen here (Romanian version).
 

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What’s happening in Europe? 

In the present, there are 260 GMO free regions, 4500 municipalities and other local entities as well as thousands of farmers and food producers which declared themselves GMO Free, thus taking responsibility in not allowing the use of GMOs in the agriculture and food chains of their region.

From 2005, each year, the “GMO Free Regions” movement in Europe organizes a conference with a meeting of all the actors of this field.

GMO Free Regions Conference in 2010.

This year, the GMO Free Europe conference will take place in Brussels and Ghent, Belgium. In order to see the programme and to register please check the official website of the Conference at: http://www.gmo-free-regions.org/

GMO Free Regions Conference in 2009.

Last year, the conference took place in Lucerne, Switzerland, where 39 countries were represented by 250 participants debateing the following themes:

View here the common resolution of the 2009 “GMO Free Regions” European Conference participants.

Each year, more and more NGOs, authorities and institutions join this initiative. The purpose is to have a Europe without Genetically Modified Organisms, a Europe oriented to sustainable agriculture, respecting biodiversity, farmers’ rights and consumer health.

Please see here the latest Maps with GMO Free Regions in Europe http://www.gmo-free-regions.org/gmo-free-regions/maps.html