Romanian civil society asks the new Minister for Agriculture to NOT Genetically Manipulate Romania
06/09/2010
Press release,
For immediate distribution
73 Romanian NGOs have expressed deep concern with regards to the appointment of Romania's new Agricultural Minister, Valeriu Tabara. The main reason for the concern is that Valeriu Tabara has a conflict of interest on the issue of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Will Mr. Tabara be capable of representing the interests of Romanian farmers and consumers given his contractual connections[1] to Monsanto - the largest GMO producer in the world?
Romania does not have a democratic history regarding GMOs cultivation. Valeriu Tabara played an essential role in the intense pro-GMO lobby[2] which he participated in at all decision-making levels. Mr. Tabara himself does not make a secret of his conflict of interest. According to his latest declarations[3] on the GMO issue, he is still keeping in close contact with Monsanto.
Therefore, 73 Romanian NGOs are asking for the replacement of Valeriu Tabara. He is incapable of making serious decisions with the urgency required by the current situation in agriculture. He is too compomised by his position in the GMO debate to be an effective minister for agriculture.
Romania's agricultural priorities should not include GMOs. The genetically modified maize MON810 is at the moment the only GMO authorized for cultivation in Romania. Romanian farmers don't want this GM maize as it has not agronomic value. Official data shows how unpopular MON810 maize is[4].
GM soy - another of Mr. Tabara's well-known passions- was cultivated in Romania between 1998 and 2006. Romania was the only state in the world to report higher production using this soy than conventional soy. The authenticity of these numbers was never proven.
We take this opportunity to remind readers of the numerous scientific studies[5] which show negative effects from GMOs on the health of mammals and the environment. Based on these studies, important states from the EU have banned GMO cultivation. Among these states are France, Germany, Austria, Hungary, and Bulgaria. GMOs don't represent development in agriculture but rather a terrible risk which we should not take.
No GMOs in our fields!
"According to opinion polls[6], Romanian consumers don't want to eat GMOs. 74% of Romanians are against the consumption of GM products and 81% would like to see a GMO ban. The authorities must defend our right to healthy food and must not serve the interests of the biotech industry. Valeriu Tabara cannot ensure that he will honor the citizens" declares Ramona Duminicioiou, president of the Genetically Modified Organisms Information Centre.
"The return of Tabara to the position of Minister for Agriculture puts him in a new situation of incompatibility, due to his collaboration with Monsanto. Once Tabara is installed, no one will stop this greedy company from contaminating our foods and fields with GMOs. Our health, biodiversity and agriculture are at risk. The appointment of Tabara is a shameful act by the Romanian government. This mistake must be repaired by replacing him as Minister for Agriculture”, declares Gabriel Paun, president of Agent Green Association.
"I don't want to cultivate GMO plants! I have an organic farm. I am afraid that one day my maize will be contaminated with GM maize and nobody will be held responsible. Romanian farmers do no have to serve Monsanto" declares Willy Schuster, organic farmer, vice-president of the Eco Ruralis Association
For more informations, please contact us:
Ramona Duminicioiu – president
GMO Information Centre
Phone/Fax: +40 264 599 204
Mobile: +40 746 337 022
E-mail: contact@infomg.ro
Web: www.infomg.ro
Gabriel Paun – president
Agent Green
Mobile: +44 7900 205657
E-mail: gabriel.paun@agentgreen.ro
Web: www.agentgreen.ro
Willy Schuster - vice-president
Eco Ruralis – in support of Romanian peasants
Phone/Fax: +40 264 599 204
Mobile: +40 752 108 184
E-mail: ecoruralis@gmail.com
Web: www.ecoruralis.ro
Lavinia Andrei – president
Romanian Environmental Coalition
Phone: +40 213141227
Fax: +40 213003700
Mobile: +40 722155110
E-mail: lavinia@terraiii.ngo.ro
Notes:
[1] CV Valeriu Tabara: http://www.infomg.ro/storage/Photos/Valeriu_Tabara_Curriculum_Vitae.pdf
[2] Interventions Valeriu Tabara, Chamber of Deputees, Romanian Parliament:
Oct. 2005 http://www.infomg.ro/storage/Listitems/Dezbateri%20parlamentare_OMG_osansapentruRomania.pdf
May 2005 http://www.infomg.ro/storage/Listitems/Dezbateri%20parlamentare_sustinere_soia.pdf
Interpelation Feb. 2006 http://www.infomg.ro/storage/Listitems/interpelare_min-ag_tabara_soia_i1104B.pdf
[3] Interview Valeriu Tabara: http://www.4shared.com/video/5mxiTI7L/Mafia_organismelor_modificate_.html?
[4] http://www.infomg.ro/web/en/GMOs_in_Romania/
[5] Scientific studies: http://www.infomg.ro/web/en/Resources/Scientific_studies/
[6] Romania National opinion poll Apr. 2010 http://infomg.ro/storage/Photos/Opinion%20pool_OMNIBUS_GMO_Romania.pdf
The signing organizations ask the prime minister Emil Boc to replace Valeriu Tabara at once from any leading public position within the Ministry of Agriculture and appoint a new, objective minister:
Asociatia Eco Ruralis – in sprijinul taranilor ecologici si traditionali
Centrul de Informare asupra Organismelor Modificate Genetic – InfOMG
Cooperativa gospodarilor ecologici BIOCOOP
Asociatia Hosman Durabil
Asociatia Fermierul COZIA
Asociatia pentru Comert Echitabil Efectul Fluture
Centrul Independent pentru Dezvoltarea Resurselor de Mediu – CIDRM
Asociatia Slow Food Turda
Asociatia RPER – Rencontres du Patrimoine Europe-Roumanie
Asociatia Alburnus Maior
Romanian Environmental Coalition:
Actiunea Civica Directa
Actiunea Ecologica Romana
Amoeba Eco Center
Asociatia 22 Decembrie 1989
Asociatia Agent Green
Asociatia AGORA - Grup de Lucru pentru Dezvoltare Durabila
Asociatia ALMA-RO
Asociatia ARIN
Asociatia Biosilva
Asociatia Brasovul Verde
Asociatia Centrul pentru Strategia de Dezvoltare Durabila
Asociatia de Ecoturism din Romania
Asociatia de Hidroecologie si Bioclimatologie
Asociatia de Turism si Ecologie Caltun - Club UNESCO
Asociatia EcoAssist
Asociatia Ecologica Turismverde
Asociatia Ecologie-Sport-Turism
Asociatia Ecologista "Floare de Colt"
Asociatia EcoPrut
Asociatia Ecouri Verzi
Asociatia Greeninitiative
Asociatia Grupul Milvus
Asociatia Heidenroslein
Asociatia Iubim Natura
Asociatia Mai Bine
Asociatia MaiMultVerde
Asociatia pentru Dezvoltare Durabila Dunarea de Jos
Asociatia pentru Dezvoltare Durabila Timis
Asociatia pentru Mediu si Turism Ulmul Cerasului
Asociatia pentru Protectia Liliecilor din Romania
Asociatia pentru Protectia Mediului Green Cross simleul Silvaniei
Asociatia Salvati Dunarea si Delta
Asociatia Sighisoara Durabila
Asociatia Tinerilor pentru Excelenta
Asociatia tinutul Secuiesc Verde
Asociatia Transilvania Verde
Asociatia Turistica Sportiva Civica si Ecologista Clubul de Cicloturism "Napoca"
Asociatia WWF Programul Dunare-Carpati Romania
Centrul de Consultanta Ecologica Galati
Centrul de Resurse Ecopolis
Centrul Regional de Supraveghere Ecologica "Muntii Apuseni"
Clubul de Ecologie si Turism "Floarea Reginei"
Clubul de Ecologie si Turism Montan Albamont
Clubul de Turism si Ecologie Transmont Fagaras
Clubul Eco Montan "Origini Verzi"
Clubul Ecologic Transilvania
Clubul Sporturilor Montane Hunedoara
Eco-Civica
Ecotop Oradea
Federatia Reteaua de Actiune pentru Clima
Focus Eco Center
Fundatia ACTIVITY pentru Resurse Umane si Dezvoltare Durabila
Fundatia pentru Parteneriat
Fundatia TERRA Mileniul III
Geo Natura
Mare Nostrum
Organizatia GeoEcologica ACCENT
ProPark Fundatia pentru Arii Protejate
Re.Generation
Societatea Carpatina Ardeleana
Societatea Ornitologica Romana
Tinerii Ecologi Romani din Iasi
UJPI Dolj
Viitor Plus - Asociatia pentru Dezvoltare Durabila
Press release,
For immediate distribution
73 Romanian NGOs have expressed deep concern with regards to the appointment of Romania's new Agricultural Minister, Valeriu Tabara. The main reason for the concern is that Valeriu Tabara has a conflict of interest on the issue of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Will Mr. Tabara be capable of representing the interests of Romanian farmers and consumers given his contractual connections[1] to Monsanto - the largest GMO producer in the world?
Romania does not have a democratic history regarding GMOs cultivation. Valeriu Tabara played an essential role in the intense pro-GMO lobby[2] which he participated in at all decision-making levels. Mr. Tabara himself does not make a secret of his conflict of interest. According to his latest declarations[3] on the GMO issue, he is still keeping in close contact with Monsanto.
Therefore, 73 Romanian NGOs are asking for the replacement of Valeriu Tabara. He is incapable of making serious decisions with the urgency required by the current situation in agriculture. He is too compomised by his position in the GMO debate to be an effective minister for agriculture.
Romania's agricultural priorities should not include GMOs. The genetically modified maize MON810 is at the moment the only GMO authorized for cultivation in Romania. Romanian farmers don't want this GM maize as it has not agronomic value. Official data shows how unpopular MON810 maize is[4].
GM soy - another of Mr. Tabara's well-known passions- was cultivated in Romania between 1998 and 2006. Romania was the only state in the world to report higher production using this soy than conventional soy. The authenticity of these numbers was never proven.
We take this opportunity to remind readers of the numerous scientific studies[5] which show negative effects from GMOs on the health of mammals and the environment. Based on these studies, important states from the EU have banned GMO cultivation. Among these states are France, Germany, Austria, Hungary, and Bulgaria. GMOs don't represent development in agriculture but rather a terrible risk which we should not take.
No GMOs in our fields!
"According to opinion polls[6], Romanian consumers don't want to eat GMOs. 74% of Romanians are against the consumption of GM products and 81% would like to see a GMO ban. The authorities must defend our right to healthy food and must not serve the interests of the biotech industry. Valeriu Tabara cannot ensure that he will honor the citizens" declares Ramona Duminicioiou, president of the Genetically Modified Organisms Information Centre.
"The return of Tabara to the position of Minister for Agriculture puts him in a new situation of incompatibility, due to his collaboration with Monsanto. Once Tabara is installed, no one will stop this greedy company from contaminating our foods and fields with GMOs. Our health, biodiversity and agriculture are at risk. The appointment of Tabara is a shameful act by the Romanian government. This mistake must be repaired by replacing him as Minister for Agriculture”, declares Gabriel Paun, president of Agent Green Association.
"I don't want to cultivate GMO plants! I have an organic farm. I am afraid that one day my maize will be contaminated with GM maize and nobody will be held responsible. Romanian farmers do no have to serve Monsanto" declares Willy Schuster, organic farmer, vice-president of the Eco Ruralis Association
For more informations, please contact us:
Ramona Duminicioiu – president
GMO Information Centre
Phone/Fax: +40 264 599 204
Mobile: +40 746 337 022
E-mail: contact@infomg.ro
Web: www.infomg.ro
Gabriel Paun – president
Agent Green
Mobile: +44 7900 205657
E-mail: gabriel.paun@agentgreen.ro
Web: www.agentgreen.ro
Willy Schuster - vice-president
Eco Ruralis – in support of Romanian peasants
Phone/Fax: +40 264 599 204
Mobile: +40 752 108 184
E-mail: ecoruralis@gmail.com
Web: www.ecoruralis.ro
Lavinia Andrei – president
Romanian Environmental Coalition
Phone: +40 213141227
Fax: +40 213003700
Mobile: +40 722155110
E-mail: lavinia@terraiii.ngo.ro
Notes:
[1] CV Valeriu Tabara: http://www.infomg.ro/storage/Photos/Valeriu_Tabara_Curriculum_Vitae.pdf
[2] Interventions Valeriu Tabara, Chamber of Deputees, Romanian Parliament:
Oct. 2005 http://www.infomg.ro/storage/Listitems/Dezbateri%20parlamentare_OMG_osansapentruRomania.pdf
May 2005 http://www.infomg.ro/storage/Listitems/Dezbateri%20parlamentare_sustinere_soia.pdf
Interpelation Feb. 2006 http://www.infomg.ro/storage/Listitems/interpelare_min-ag_tabara_soia_i1104B.pdf
[3] Interview Valeriu Tabara: http://www.4shared.com/video/5mxiTI7L/Mafia_organismelor_modificate_.html?
[4] http://www.infomg.ro/web/en/GMOs_in_Romania/
[5] Scientific studies: http://www.infomg.ro/web/en/Resources/Scientific_studies/
[6] Romania National opinion poll Apr. 2010 http://infomg.ro/storage/Photos/Opinion%20pool_OMNIBUS_GMO_Romania.pdf
The signing organizations ask the prime minister Emil Boc to replace Valeriu Tabara at once from any leading public position within the Ministry of Agriculture and appoint a new, objective minister:
Asociatia Eco Ruralis – in sprijinul taranilor ecologici si traditionali
Centrul de Informare asupra Organismelor Modificate Genetic – InfOMG
Cooperativa gospodarilor ecologici BIOCOOP
Asociatia Hosman Durabil
Asociatia Fermierul COZIA
Asociatia pentru Comert Echitabil Efectul Fluture
Centrul Independent pentru Dezvoltarea Resurselor de Mediu – CIDRM
Asociatia Slow Food Turda
Asociatia RPER – Rencontres du Patrimoine Europe-Roumanie
Asociatia Alburnus Maior
Romanian Environmental Coalition:
Actiunea Civica Directa
Actiunea Ecologica Romana
Amoeba Eco Center
Asociatia 22 Decembrie 1989
Asociatia Agent Green
Asociatia AGORA - Grup de Lucru pentru Dezvoltare Durabila
Asociatia ALMA-RO
Asociatia ARIN
Asociatia Biosilva
Asociatia Brasovul Verde
Asociatia Centrul pentru Strategia de Dezvoltare Durabila
Asociatia de Ecoturism din Romania
Asociatia de Hidroecologie si Bioclimatologie
Asociatia de Turism si Ecologie Caltun - Club UNESCO
Asociatia EcoAssist
Asociatia Ecologica Turismverde
Asociatia Ecologie-Sport-Turism
Asociatia Ecologista "Floare de Colt"
Asociatia EcoPrut
Asociatia Ecouri Verzi
Asociatia Greeninitiative
Asociatia Grupul Milvus
Asociatia Heidenroslein
Asociatia Iubim Natura
Asociatia Mai Bine
Asociatia MaiMultVerde
Asociatia pentru Dezvoltare Durabila Dunarea de Jos
Asociatia pentru Dezvoltare Durabila Timis
Asociatia pentru Mediu si Turism Ulmul Cerasului
Asociatia pentru Protectia Liliecilor din Romania
Asociatia pentru Protectia Mediului Green Cross simleul Silvaniei
Asociatia Salvati Dunarea si Delta
Asociatia Sighisoara Durabila
Asociatia Tinerilor pentru Excelenta
Asociatia tinutul Secuiesc Verde
Asociatia Transilvania Verde
Asociatia Turistica Sportiva Civica si Ecologista Clubul de Cicloturism "Napoca"
Asociatia WWF Programul Dunare-Carpati Romania
Centrul de Consultanta Ecologica Galati
Centrul de Resurse Ecopolis
Centrul Regional de Supraveghere Ecologica "Muntii Apuseni"
Clubul de Ecologie si Turism "Floarea Reginei"
Clubul de Ecologie si Turism Montan Albamont
Clubul de Turism si Ecologie Transmont Fagaras
Clubul Eco Montan "Origini Verzi"
Clubul Ecologic Transilvania
Clubul Sporturilor Montane Hunedoara
Eco-Civica
Ecotop Oradea
Federatia Reteaua de Actiune pentru Clima
Focus Eco Center
Fundatia ACTIVITY pentru Resurse Umane si Dezvoltare Durabila
Fundatia pentru Parteneriat
Fundatia TERRA Mileniul III
Geo Natura
Mare Nostrum
Organizatia GeoEcologica ACCENT
ProPark Fundatia pentru Arii Protejate
Re.Generation
Societatea Carpatina Ardeleana
Societatea Ornitologica Romana
Tinerii Ecologi Romani din Iasi
UJPI Dolj
Viitor Plus - Asociatia pentru Dezvoltare Durabila
