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We did it! Over 1 million people across every EU country have signed the petition for a freeze on all genetically modified crops. EU decision makers have committed to act upon any petition of this magnitude -- and this is the first to test their resolve!
We’ve taken a huge step forward. But agri-business lobbyists have an enormous head-start and are racing to blow open EU food safety measures -- they are pushing for 15 further GM crops. We need to pull together now to get EU law makers to act on food safety, and to plan further people-powered campaigns.
It's time to deliver this gigantic petition to top European politicians in a spectacular way that captures media attention and powerfully conveys our message. We're planning a giant installation outside the European Commission headquarters that requires commissioners to walk through or over our petition every day. We urgently need to raise the funds to build this and generate media attention to ensure the Commission follows takes action.
There is no scientific consensus on the long-term environmental and public health effects of GM crops. Yet in March EU officials ignored the risks, caved in to industry pressures, and broke a 12 year freeze on GM testing by approving gene-splicing experiments on potatoes. Over 1 million of us have responded by coming together to counter corporate interests and protect our health and our environment.
Now companies are seeking approval for fifteen further GM crops. Five governments are taking the European Commission to court for disregarding their requests to ensure more rigorous testing. But without massive public support, they won’t be able to face down powerful bio-tech industries, who are funding the science and regulations behind the political decisions.
Any contribution we make today will help continue the fight for safe farming and food across Europe. Our donations will enable an unmissable stunt to deliver the petition to high-level European officials and politicians, plus further research and public advocacy to counter the influence of corporations.
Avaaz is pioneering a new democratic tool. The European Citizens Initiative means that the European Commission has to respond with reform proposals any time a million people from across the EU file a petition. We have surprised everyone by how fast our community reached one million -- and how we organise around our campaign launch will help determine the Initiative’s future potential.
Senior EU politicians now have a million reasons to listen to the public and prioritise the safety and well-being of European citizens by upholding the GM ban until sufficient testing is done. Let’s donate now and deepen our engagement to democratise decision making about our food, environment and health:
https://secure.avaaz.org/en/gmo_the_next_steps/98.php?CLICKTF
Sources
EU GMO proposals draw widespread criticism, Euractiv, July 2010:
http://www.euractiv.com/en/cap/eu-countries-get-more-leeway-gmos-news-496263
Commission plans to relax rules on GM crops in Europe, Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth, July 2010:
http://www.greenpeace.org/eu-unit/press-centre/press-releases2/commission-plans-to-relax-rule
Little agreement on commission GMO proposal, EU Observer, September 2010:
http://euobserver.com/9/30900
Anti-GM crop petition tops million signatures, AFP, October 2010:
http://www.avaaz.org/petition_tops_1million_AFP
EU legal experts question Commission proposals -- Greenpeace:
http://www.greenpeace.org/eu-unit/press-centre/press-releases2/agriculture-ministers-discuss-GM-reform-27-09-10
We’ve taken a huge step forward. But agri-business lobbyists have an enormous head-start and are racing to blow open EU food safety measures -- they are pushing for 15 further GM crops. We need to pull together now to get EU law makers to act on food safety, and to plan further people-powered campaigns.
It's time to deliver this gigantic petition to top European politicians in a spectacular way that captures media attention and powerfully conveys our message. We're planning a giant installation outside the European Commission headquarters that requires commissioners to walk through or over our petition every day. We urgently need to raise the funds to build this and generate media attention to ensure the Commission follows takes action.
There is no scientific consensus on the long-term environmental and public health effects of GM crops. Yet in March EU officials ignored the risks, caved in to industry pressures, and broke a 12 year freeze on GM testing by approving gene-splicing experiments on potatoes. Over 1 million of us have responded by coming together to counter corporate interests and protect our health and our environment.
Now companies are seeking approval for fifteen further GM crops. Five governments are taking the European Commission to court for disregarding their requests to ensure more rigorous testing. But without massive public support, they won’t be able to face down powerful bio-tech industries, who are funding the science and regulations behind the political decisions.
Any contribution we make today will help continue the fight for safe farming and food across Europe. Our donations will enable an unmissable stunt to deliver the petition to high-level European officials and politicians, plus further research and public advocacy to counter the influence of corporations.
Avaaz is pioneering a new democratic tool. The European Citizens Initiative means that the European Commission has to respond with reform proposals any time a million people from across the EU file a petition. We have surprised everyone by how fast our community reached one million -- and how we organise around our campaign launch will help determine the Initiative’s future potential.
Senior EU politicians now have a million reasons to listen to the public and prioritise the safety and well-being of European citizens by upholding the GM ban until sufficient testing is done. Let’s donate now and deepen our engagement to democratise decision making about our food, environment and health:
https://secure.avaaz.org/en/gmo_the_next_steps/98.php?CLICKTF
Sources
EU GMO proposals draw widespread criticism, Euractiv, July 2010:
http://www.euractiv.com/en/cap/eu-countries-get-more-leeway-gmos-news-496263
Commission plans to relax rules on GM crops in Europe, Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth, July 2010:
http://www.greenpeace.org/eu-unit/press-centre/press-releases2/commission-plans-to-relax-rule
Little agreement on commission GMO proposal, EU Observer, September 2010:
http://euobserver.com/9/30900
Anti-GM crop petition tops million signatures, AFP, October 2010:
http://www.avaaz.org/petition_tops_1million_AFP
EU legal experts question Commission proposals -- Greenpeace:
http://www.greenpeace.org/eu-unit/press-centre/press-releases2/agriculture-ministers-discuss-GM-reform-27-09-10
