[asia-apec 1793] Urgent Action Needed--Sri Lankan GE Imports Ban May be Lifted Indefinite

[Anuradha Mittal]

*******URGENT ALERT********

****You Can HELP NOW - PLEASE ACT TODAY AND FORWARD THIS TO ALL YOUR
CONTACTS****

According to the Environmental Foundation Ltd Sri Lanka/ FoE Sri Lanka, 
the Secretary to the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medicine has 
appointed an advisory committee to the Sri Lankan government with the 
possible intention of lifting the ban of imported GE food 
indefinitely!!!!

This new committee has been formed without the knowledge of the Food
Advisory Committee (FAC), also within the Ministry of Health and 
Indigenous Medicine. The call for a ban on imported GE foods was 
originally put forward by the FAC.

The new committee has been formed as a response to intense pressure from 
Embassies and the private trade sector. We understand the committee has 
been requested to make a recommendation to the government to potentially 
delay the ban indefinitely by THURSDAY THIS WEEK.

****YOU CAN HELP NOW****

Millions of farmers, consumers and people's organisations working for 
safe food around the world are adamantly opposed to the genetic 
modification of food, its development and commercialisation.

As much pressure as possible must be exerted immediately on the 
Secretary to the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medicine and the Sri 
Lankan government to uphold the ban on GE foods put forward by the FAC.

Express your concern today over the potential:

*Lifting of one of the most progressive GE-free legislative measures in 
the world to date, due to pressure exerted by both international and 
national pro-GE interests that have no concern for public health and the 
wellbeing of the environment.

*For Sri Lanka to become a dumping and testing ground for GE foods that
have not been proven safe for human consumption.

Call upon the Sri Lankan government to uphold its position despite the
intense pressures being exerted upon it. The Sri Lankan government has 
every right to protect its people from the potential and unknown impacts 
of GMOs and for considering the ethical and moral objections people may 
have over GE foods and other products.

****URGENT****

Please email:

Secretary, Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medicine, "Suwasiripaya"
385 Wimalawansa Mawatha, Colombo, 10, Sri Lanka. 
E-mail: sechim at sltnet.lk

Please Fax:

President Chandrika Kumaratunga c/o Presidential Secretariat, Colombo, 
01 Sri Lanka.  
Fax: +941 333 703/ +941 446 657

The Honorable John Seneviratne, Minister of Health , Ministry of Health 
and Indigenous Medicine, Colombo, 01, Sri Lanka. 
Fax: +941 694 227

For you reference, the letter sent to the Secretary to the Ministry of 
Health and Indigenous Medicine and a Press Release by the Environmental 
Foundation Ltd Sri Lanka/ FoE Sri Lanka, is attached below.


August 14, 2001

Secretary,
Ministry of Health
"Suwasiripaya"
385 Wimalawansa Mawatha
Colombo 10

Dear Sir,

Environmental Foundation is a non-profit public interest organization
working towards the conservation of the environment through legal means. 
As a citizens group we are very concerned on the issues related to the 
Sri Lankan regulation to ban Genetically Modified Foods (GMFs) and the 
U.S. Government's pressure on the Sri Lankan Government on the same. We 
believe that genetically modified foods constitute are an untested and 
uncertain area and that Sri Lanka should not become a testing ground for 
such products.

We are amazed to learn that you have appointed a committee to look into 
this ban, and we understand the aim of this committee is to move towards 
moving the ban so courageously promulgated by the Food Advisory 
Committee (FAC) of the your own Ministry.  We also understand that this 
committee has been appointed without the knowledge of the members of the 
FAC.

Earlier, EFL applauded the FAC for their persistence and courage in 
going ahead with a ban, in spite of international threats to challenge 
Sri Lanka's move before the World Trade Organization.

EFL has also written to the UN Human Rights Commission against the U.S.
action and also has written to the U.S. President, asking to refrain 
from involving his nation in Sri Lanka's GMO ban as this would amount to 
interference with Sri Lanka's sovereignty.

Genetically modified foods are still untested and so far have not been
proved safe consumption. It is deplorable that the government is willing 
to put economic gain and succumb to the international pressures of both 
international and local parties who have no care for the public health.

We therefore express profound disappointment at your actions, which will 
directly threaten the health and safety of the Sri Lankan public.  This 
will set Sri Lanka back after it took such an advanced step applauded by 
activists everywhere.

Six months were already given to the private trade sector to come into 
line with the ban, and it was aware of the move for at least a year.  We 
therefore urge you to let this ban go ahead on September 1, in 
accordance with the present regulations, and not to succumb to the 
unreasonable demands either of a mercenary few or of countries who have 
no right to interfere or threaten Sri Lanka's sovereign right to protect 
her citizens.

Yours faithfully,

Hemantha Withanage
Executive Director
-----------------------------------------

August 9, 2001

PRESS RELEASE

Environmental Foundation Ltd. has learned that the government is moving 
to lift the ban on genetically modified foods, a ban that had been 
courageously promulgated by the Food Advisory Committee (FAC) of the 
Ministry of Health.

It is understood that the Secretary to the same Ministry has gone over 
the heads of these members, and has appointed a committee without their
knowledge, with a view to lift the ban enshrined in regulations set 
forth early this year.

It is also understood that this meeting is being called because of 
specific requests by the private trade sector and embassies here in Sri 
Lanka.

Earlier, EFL applauded the FAC for their persistence and courage in 
going ahead with a ban, in spite of international threats to challenge 
Sri Lanka's move before the World Trade Organization.

EFL has also written to the UN Human Rights Commission against the U.S.
action and also has written to the U.S. President, asking to refrain 
from involving his nation in Sri Lanka's GMO ban as this would amount to 
interference with Sri Lanka's sovereignty.

Genetically modified foods are still untested and so far have not been
proved safe consumption. It is deplorable that the government is willing 
to put economic gain and succumb to the international pressures of both 
international and local parties who have no care for the public health.

EFL therefore condemns the high-handed action of the Secretary in taking 
such an insupportable action that directly threatens the health and 
safety of the Sri Lankan public.


_________________________________

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