Sucre Ethique - Philippine : Sugar producers oppose provincial ban on GMO’s

Daily Star - dimanche 21 juin 2009

Sugar producers in Negros Occidental have voiced their official opposition to the provincial ban on genetically-modified organisms.

Confederation of Sugar Producers’ Associations Inc. chairperson, Reynaldo Bantug, wrote to Gov. Isidro Zayco on June 16, that while the group considers Provincial Ordinance No. 007, Series of 2007, “as a noble act with noble intentions”, CONFED members are also seriously alarmed by its implementation.

Bantug said the continued application of the ban will adversely affect the productivity of (the sugar industry) and stall efforts to further improve sugar production and profitability.

He said the sugar industry is still the lifeblood of the economy of our province and remains its leading product and, as a province powered by a mono-crop system of agriculture (sugarcane), it does not have a fallback industry to lean on when its primary and only industry will collapse.

Bantug said, they are, therefore, appealing to Zayco to suspend the ban pending further in-depth study and evaluation on the effects of GMO’s on consumers.

The CONFED is also appealing to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan members to initiate measures to ensure that a moratorium on the implementation of the law be effected for the sake of the sugar industry and the province, Bantug said.

The Victorias Milling Company Farmers’ Cooperative Inc., meanwhile, also called for the BMO ban to be held off until an in-depth scientific study is done and a study on the economic impact it will have on the province and the food security for the country.

A June 11 letter to Zayco was signed by VMC Farmers’ MPC chairperson, Jose Ma. Montinola, VIMACA 2 Planters Association Inc. president, Aurelio Valderama, and Victorias Mill District MDDC chairperson, Nemesio de la Cruz.

Citing the National Policy on Modern Biotechnology issued by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on July 16, 2001, the VMC Farmers’ Cooperative Inc., said it seems that the provincial ordinance is not in harmony with the national policy.

The group noted that if studies by the Philippine Sugar Research Institute on High Yielding Varieties of sugarcane will have to stop due to the GMO ban, the sugar industry in Negros will be in danger of collapsing.

PHILSURIN, which, Montinola, Valderama, and De la Cruz said, will be introducing a new sugarcane variety that is nitrogen fixing and uses biotechnology, has placed an advertisement in newspapers today in opposition to the ban.

Organic farming advocates have reiterated that GMO’s pose potential health hazards to humans and dangers to the environment.

Last week, majority of the members of the ad hoc committee organized by Zayco to tackle the matter has recommended that the ban be enforced, although the governor has brought the issue back to the SP for a decision.*PP