Romanians want a ban on genetically modified organisms
13/05/2010
Cluj Napoca, 13th of May, 2010. According to a national opinion poll (Omnibus - made by IMAS) from in April, this year, 81,5% of Romanians want the Romanian authorities to ban genetically modified organisms and 74,1% don't want to consume genetically modified organisms.
Genetically modified organisms (GMO) have been a problem for Romania for more than 10 years, due to the lack of control of the GM maize and soy cultivation and the placement on the market of GMOs coming from the imports or from the internal market.
Currently, most of the EU member states make tremendous efforts to ban the cultivation of the GM maize MON810, owned by Monsanto, the only GMO allowed for commercial cultivation within the EU. In the last years, 7 important countries for the agricultural sector of the EU, decided to ban GM maize: France, Germany, Poland, Hungary, Bulgaria, Greece and Austria.
Since 2000, Eurobarometer shows that European consumers have repeatedly expressed their refusal to consume GMOs.
Therefore, The Genetically Modified Organisms Information Centre – InfOMG, ordered a national opinion poll (omnibus system), which finally shows decision makers what Romanian consumers believe.
Question 1: Would you consume genetically modified organisms?
Yes: 15,9% No: 74,1% I don't know: 10%
Question 2: Do you think that the Romanian authorities should ban genetically modified organisms?
Yes: 81,5% No: 9,6% I don't know: 8,9%
„For whom are we cultivating GMOs? It is obvious that the public doesn't want them. Scientists have no right to ignore the risks posed by this biotechnology and especially consumer's right to healthy food” declares Conf. Dr. Aurel Maxim, agro-ecology professor at the Agronomy University in Cluj Napoca, Romania.
„If the Romanian authorities needed a confirmation from the citizens, now they have it. Banning the cultivation of the GM maize MON810 is the first necessary step towards achieving food safety and environmental protection. The Ministers for Environment and Agriculture need to take an immediate decision to honour the requests of the Romanian consumers.” adds Ramona Duminicioiu, juridical consultant and president of InfOMG.
„As an organic farmer I refuse to pollute the environment and to put my family and consumer's health at risk. GMO contamination is a real problem. The traditional maize that my family is cultivating could be contaminated at any time by GM maize. GMOs are a threat for organic and traditional farmer's existence and they have to be banned” declares Willy Schuster, organic farmer and vicepresident of farmer's association Eco Ruralis.
For comments, interviews and further information, journalists are invited to come to the press conference that will take place on the 13th of May, 2010 at the Organic Shop Cosul Verde - Piata Avram Iancu Street 13, Cluj Napoca, Romania.
For any further informations, please don't hesitate to contact us:
Genetically Modified Organisms Information Centre - InfOMG
David Francisc St., no. 10, ap. 5, 400102 – Cluj Napoca, Romania
Phone/Fax: 0264 599 204
E-mail: contact@infomg.ro / infomg.romania@gmail.com
Web: www.infomg.ro
Contact persons:
Ramona Duminicioiu – presindent of InfOMG, juridical consultant
ramona@infomg.ro / +4(0)746 337 022
Conf. Dr. Aurel Maxim – Agronomy University Cluj, Romania
maxim0067@yahoo.com / +4(0)740 586 296
Willy Schuster – organic farmer - Vicepresident of farmers association Eco Ruralis
ecorualis@gmail.com / www.ecoruralis.ro / +4(0)752 108 184
====================
NOTES:
1. Romania 2010 opinion poll on GMOs: http://infomg.ro/storage/Photos/Opinion%20pool_OMNIBUS_GMO_Romania.pdf
2. IMAS – Marketing and Opinion Polls company: http://www.imas-inc.com/
3. InfOMG: GMO situation in Romania http://www.infomg.ro/web/en/Home/GMOs_in_Romania/
4. InfOMG: GMO situation in the European Union: http://www.infomg.ro/web/en/Home/GMOs_in_EU/
Press release - for immediate distribution (PDF version)
According to national opinion poll 81,5 % of Romanians want a ban on GMOs
According to national opinion poll 81,5 % of Romanians want a ban on GMOs
Cluj Napoca, 13th of May, 2010. According to a national opinion poll (Omnibus - made by IMAS) from in April, this year, 81,5% of Romanians want the Romanian authorities to ban genetically modified organisms and 74,1% don't want to consume genetically modified organisms.
Genetically modified organisms (GMO) have been a problem for Romania for more than 10 years, due to the lack of control of the GM maize and soy cultivation and the placement on the market of GMOs coming from the imports or from the internal market.
Currently, most of the EU member states make tremendous efforts to ban the cultivation of the GM maize MON810, owned by Monsanto, the only GMO allowed for commercial cultivation within the EU. In the last years, 7 important countries for the agricultural sector of the EU, decided to ban GM maize: France, Germany, Poland, Hungary, Bulgaria, Greece and Austria.
Since 2000, Eurobarometer shows that European consumers have repeatedly expressed their refusal to consume GMOs.
Therefore, The Genetically Modified Organisms Information Centre – InfOMG, ordered a national opinion poll (omnibus system), which finally shows decision makers what Romanian consumers believe.
Question 1: Would you consume genetically modified organisms?
Yes: 15,9% No: 74,1% I don't know: 10%
Question 2: Do you think that the Romanian authorities should ban genetically modified organisms?
Yes: 81,5% No: 9,6% I don't know: 8,9%
„For whom are we cultivating GMOs? It is obvious that the public doesn't want them. Scientists have no right to ignore the risks posed by this biotechnology and especially consumer's right to healthy food” declares Conf. Dr. Aurel Maxim, agro-ecology professor at the Agronomy University in Cluj Napoca, Romania.
„If the Romanian authorities needed a confirmation from the citizens, now they have it. Banning the cultivation of the GM maize MON810 is the first necessary step towards achieving food safety and environmental protection. The Ministers for Environment and Agriculture need to take an immediate decision to honour the requests of the Romanian consumers.” adds Ramona Duminicioiu, juridical consultant and president of InfOMG.
„As an organic farmer I refuse to pollute the environment and to put my family and consumer's health at risk. GMO contamination is a real problem. The traditional maize that my family is cultivating could be contaminated at any time by GM maize. GMOs are a threat for organic and traditional farmer's existence and they have to be banned” declares Willy Schuster, organic farmer and vicepresident of farmer's association Eco Ruralis.
For comments, interviews and further information, journalists are invited to come to the press conference that will take place on the 13th of May, 2010 at the Organic Shop Cosul Verde - Piata Avram Iancu Street 13, Cluj Napoca, Romania.
For any further informations, please don't hesitate to contact us:
Genetically Modified Organisms Information Centre - InfOMG
David Francisc St., no. 10, ap. 5, 400102 – Cluj Napoca, Romania
Phone/Fax: 0264 599 204
E-mail: contact@infomg.ro / infomg.romania@gmail.com
Web: www.infomg.ro
Contact persons:
Ramona Duminicioiu – presindent of InfOMG, juridical consultant
ramona@infomg.ro / +4(0)746 337 022
Conf. Dr. Aurel Maxim – Agronomy University Cluj, Romania
maxim0067@yahoo.com / +4(0)740 586 296
Willy Schuster – organic farmer - Vicepresident of farmers association Eco Ruralis
ecorualis@gmail.com / www.ecoruralis.ro / +4(0)752 108 184
====================
NOTES:
1. Romania 2010 opinion poll on GMOs: http://infomg.ro/storage/Photos/Opinion%20pool_OMNIBUS_GMO_Romania.pdf
2. IMAS – Marketing and Opinion Polls company: http://www.imas-inc.com/
3. InfOMG: GMO situation in Romania http://www.infomg.ro/web/en/Home/GMOs_in_Romania/
4. InfOMG: GMO situation in the European Union: http://www.infomg.ro/web/en/Home/GMOs_in_EU/
