Nexus - 1503 - New Times Magazine-pages

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Germany, Austria and Denmark, even ban some EU-approved biotech food products, further clouding the outlook. Polls show why, with European public opinion strongly opposed to GMO foods and ingredients. Hostility levels in France are as high as 89 per cent, with 79 per cent wanting governments to ban them. This shows that European consumers are far ahead of Americans and much better protected (so far) by their overall exclusion as well as having labelling requirements for those products allowed to be sold. That provision is crucial as it empowers consumers to decide whether to use or avoid these foods. If enough people abstain, food outlets won't carry them. Engdahl ends on a high note by observing how vulnerable GMO giants are to criticism. Thrusting untested products down consumers’ throats is "grounds for organizing a global ban or moratorium on them" if enough vocal opposition can be marshalled. Throughout his book, he sounds the alarm with reams of carefully documented facts on the industry, its products and goals. Converting world agriculture to GMOs, allowing agribusiness free rein over them, and combining that scheme with a diabolical population-culling agenda add up to solving world hunger through genocide and endangering the rest of us in the process. So far, Washington and the industry are on a roll towards controlling oil and food. Hundreds of millions around the world stand opposed, but it's unclear if that's enough. Engdahl's book is a wake-up call for every friend of the Earth to understand that issues this crucial can't be left in the hands of unscrupulous business giants and their supportive friends in high places everywhere. The book has reams of ammunition against them. It needs to be thoroughly read and its information used. The stakes are much too high. Human health and safety must never be compromised for profit. oo A September 2006 WTO tribunal ruled for the US and against the EU. In so doing, it threatens to open this important agricultural region to the "forced introduction [of] genetically manipulated plants and food products". It recommended the WTO Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) require the EU to conform with its obligations under WTO's SPS Agreement that lets agribusiness ignore national laws and rights that protect public health and safety. Failure to comply can cost EU countries hundreds of millions of dollars in annual fines, so this issue is crucial to both sides. At the time of Engdahl's writing, it was unclear if the "GMO juggernaut would be stopped globally". It's still uncertain, but as of December 2007 only nine biotech food products are authorised for sale in the EU. So far, most US corn exports are blocked and trade in other products is hindered in spite of dozens of applications pending in the pipeline, their fate undecided. Several EU countries, including France, About the Author/Reviewer: Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago, USA, and can be contacted by email at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net. Visit his blogsite at sjlendman.blogspot.com. APRIL — MAY 2008 NEXUS +79 Sowing the Seeds of Destruction Continued from page 26 Afterword: Marshalling Opposition www.nexusmagazine.com