On June 25th two Monsanto genetic test fields were destroyed in the south of The Netherlands.
his is a translation of a report by the Dutch action-magazine Ravage
(http://www.antenna.nl/ravage)
Amsterdam, June 25th 2001
ACTIVISTS ELIMATE FIELD TESTS
In the night of Sunday to Monday June 25 activists calling themselves
"Razende Hazen" (Enraged Hares) have sabotaged two field tests of
genetically engineered sugar beets in Brabant, the south of The
Netherlands. They made up a test of 'Roundup-Ready' sugar beets by
agro-multinational Monsanto."We removed the green of the plants,
making the test uncompletable," says the group in a statement
delivered to Ravage.
"The purpose of this action is to directly stop the spreading of
genetically modified organisms (GMO's) in our environment and food,"
state the Hares. The Roundup-Ready beets have been genetically
altered to be able to resist Monsanto's herbicide 'Roundup'. "This
way, Monsanto can sell both more seeds and more Roundup."
The fields are located in Heerle (Kepelstreet 12) and Rilland
(Damesweg 2). Both are 1152 square metres.
The Enraged Hares have in this way made a contribution to the
national debate on genetics and food. The activists say this debate
is "mustard after a meal [a Dutch expression], because the government
's allready decided to actively stimulate genetic technology. In the
so called public meeting that the government commission is organising
today, the public will not be allowed to speak. They will be
'educated', but there will be no debate," say the activists.
"Even though there's wide spread doubt on use of GMO food, the
biotechindustry keeps going on the road of social and ecological
destruction. Large companies and governents set the agenda to
globalise patent-laws, that privatise life as 'intellectual
property', selling science to motives of profit and power."
"Monsanto is a good example. Recently a Canadian farmer, Percy
Schmeiser, had to appear in court for breaking a Monsanto patent.
Unknowingly, he had Roundup Ready plants on his land. This was blown
over from a neighbouring field, but Schmeiser was found guilty. This
should alarm all farmers. Bringing GMO's into the environment is
irreversible and clearly conflicting with the precaution-principle,
which has also been incorporated in the Biosafety Protocol of the
United Nations."
Tonights actions were part of the second international day of actions
against the biotech-industry.
Ravage, actieblad
Van Ostadestraat 233n
1073 TN Amsterdam
telefoon 020-6761773
fax: 020-6730595
Internet: http://www.antenna.nl/ravage