World Summit on Sustainable Development

Johannesburg, 26 August - 4 September 2002

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Statement of solidarity with Southern African nations over GM food and crops

Delegates to the World Summit on Sustainable Development,

We the undersigned, as representatives or advocates of the people of the Global South, hereby declare our condemnation of the coercive techniques being used by the United States of America to force the nations and people of the South to accept genetically modified food in food aid shipments.

We condemn the United States' use of Food Aid as a tool of propaganda to force acceptance of GM food and crops by Southern nations on the eve of the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD). Peasant farmers and indigenous peoples in many Southern nations are opposing GM crops and condemning GM contamination of their land whilst the recipients of food aid are protesting the dumping of GM food that have not undergone independent safety testing.

We decry the bio-imperialism of dumping food aid in Africa, the endangerment of food sovereignty and security and the deviation from principles of self-determination*. It further subsidizes the US farm system, provides a handy market for dumping grain not wanted elsewhere and is a thinly disguised attempt to pollute the sub continent's grain stocks with patented genetically modified varieties.

We support the governments of Zambia and Mozambique for protesting about the inclusion of genetically modified shipments of maize in food aid. The United States' Department of State is clearly using emergency food aid shipments for starving people in southern Africa as a political tool to force acceptance of genetically modified foods. This exploitative policy makes it clear that the United States is not interested in staving off famine. The United States is forcing the people of southern African nations to accept genetically modified food aid or risk widespread starvation, and has been unwilling to listen to the legitimate concerns.

Genetically modified crops, such as GM coffee and Bt cotton - and the corporations that market them - will only exacerbate rural unemployment and social and economic inequalities, and spur further environmental degradation.

We encourage governments and people around the world to initiate a boycott of genetically modified food products from the United States to demonstrate support not only for southern African nations who are being used as political pawns in a dire situation, but to show support for all the countries of the world that have been threatened with trade sanctions by the United States for regulating or labeling genetically modified foods.

Finally, we urge governments of the world to reject the inclusion of any language in the WSSD declaration that presumes genetically modified foods will be a solution to world hunger.

* NEPAD, the New Partnership for Africa’s Development states in one of its objectives that "They (developed countries) have set up increasingly hostile operational mechanisms in the world economy, thus contributing to Africa's further exclusion."

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Signatories

  • Anuradha Mittal and Peter Rosset, Food First/Institute for Food and Development Policy, United States
  • Devinder Sharma, Forum for Biotechnology & Food Security, India
  • P V Satheesh, Deccan Development Society, India
  • Robert Vint, Genetic Food Alert, United Kingdom
  • Neil Sorensen, Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, United States
Argentina
  • Acción por la Biodiversidad, Carlos A. Vicente
Australia
  • Australian Greens, Deb Foskey, Secretary
  • Frances Murrell, Citizen
  • GE Free Bathurst, Michael Dickson
  • Local Artisans Alliance for Sustainability, Glenda Lindsay
  • Mr. Paul Harris, Faculty of Sciences, The University of Adelaide
  • National Herbalists Association of Australia, Western Australian Chapter, Eloise Charleson
  • South Australian Genetic Food Information Network
Austria
  • Center for Encounters and Active Nonviolence, Matthias Reichl
  • Declaration of Salzburg for Development in Solidarity, Ilse and Julius Hanak
Bangladesh
  • BanglaPraxis, Zakir Kibria
  • Lokoj-Bangladesh, Arup Rahee, Executive Director
  • Rights Implementation for Social Emancipation (RISE), Ahsanul Haq Khan, General Secretary
Belgium
  • International Coalition for Development Action (ICDA), Janice Goodson Foerde, Chairperson
  • Véronique Chuffart, Enghien
  • Vredeseilanden, Ivan Godfroid and Michel Beankens
Cameroon
  • Agir International, Siège Abidjan
  • Dialogues pour l'action en vue du developpement et de l'integration sociale (DIALOGUES), Chistine Andela
  • Shumas Cameroon, Ndzerem Stephen
Canada
  • Conserve Africa Foundation, John Carrick Greene
  • ETC Group, Hope Shand
  • Grace Bavington
  • Gillian Kirkland
  • Jocelyne Néron, Montréal
  • Tropical Conservancy, Stephen Aitken, International Coordinator
  • Women for a Just and Healthy Planet, Toronto
China
  • Green Association for Environmental Action, Yang Yang
Costa Rica
  • COECOCeiba -Friends of the Earth Costa Rica, Isaac Rojas
France
  • Jean-Luc Simon, Président du GFPH, Vice Président de la Région Europe de l'OMPH, Membre du Conseil Mondial de l'OMPH
  • Michel Cambornac
  • OGM dangers
  • Pascal Bergeret, Agricultural Economist
  • SOLIDARITE, Jacques Berthelot
Germany
  • Action for Natural Medicine (ANAMED), Dr Keith Lindsey
  • A. Weiser
  • ECOTERRA International, Hans-Jürgen Duwe
  • Dr. Anita Idel, Veterinarian
Ghana
  • African Federation of Women Entrepreneurs (AFWE), Mrs. Lucia Quachey, Secretary General
India
  • Madhumita Dutta, Anti-Toxics Activits
  • Mr Madhusudhan, Yakshi, Hyderabad
  • Quiet Healing Centre, Nandita Shah
  • Mr Pandu Dora, Andhra Pradesh Adivasi Aikya vedika
  • People's action in development{PAID}, K. Nageswar Reddy, President
  • Sachetan, Ira Roy (Ms), Secretary
  • Dr. Sagari R Ramdas, Anthra, Hyderabad
  • Tamil Nadu Women's Forum
  • Women's Centre, Bombay, Ammu Abraham
Indonesia
  • KONPHALINDO (National Consortium for Nature and Forest Conservation)
  • Pesticide Action Network (PAN) Indonesia, Riza VT
Italy
  • Comitato Scientifico Antivivisezionista (CSA)
Japan
  • Consumers Union of Japan
  • Mr. Fall Ousmane, Ph.D Candidate, Tokyo Metropolitan University
Kenya
  • African Conservation Centre, Eluid Wanakuta
  • Christians For a Just Society
  • Wangari Mwangi, Peace and Development Resource Person, Nairobi
Liberia
  • Pollution Control Association of Liberia, Henry O. Williams, Executive Director
Madagascar
  • Institut Malgache de Recherches Appliquees, Rasoanaivo Philippe
Malawi
  • Permaculture Network, June Walker
  • Permaculture Nutrition Project, Stacia Nordin, RD
Malaysia
  • Pesticide Action Network Asia and the Pacific (PAN AP), Sarojeni Rengam, Executive Director
  • Southeast Asian Council for Food Security and Fair Trade (SEA Council), Indrani Thuraisingham
Mexico
  • CEPACOM, A.C.
  • Global Exchange Chiapas, Ryan Zinn
  • Red Mexicana de Accion frente al Libre Comercio (RMALC), Alejandro Villamar
  • Taller Universitario de Derechos Humanos A. C., Bernardo Sánchez Laguna, Coordinador General
Morocco
  • GERERE (Groupe d'Etudes et de Recherche sur les Energies Renouvelables et l'Environnement), Faouzi Senhaji, President
Nepal
  • Lazimpat, Kathmandu
  • Rural Reconstruction Nepal (RRN), Sarba Raj Khadka, Executive Director
  • SEWA, Sunil Manandhar
Netherlands
  • A SEED Europe, Frank van Schaik
  • Both ENDS, Environment and Development Service for NGOs, Margriet Zoethout
  • Jan van Butselaar
  • XminusY Solidarityfunds, Wytze de Lange
New Zealand
  • Bev Trowbridge, Auckland
  • Enterprise Russell
  • Fair NZ
  • GE Free New Zealand in Food and Environment
  • GE Free Northland in Food & Environment, Zee Vallings
  • Groundswell Canterbury
  • Nelson and GE Aware Nelson
  • Karen Culpeper, Auckland
  • Shushila Ajani, Whangarei
  • Sue Kedgley MP, Green Party Spokesperson for Health, Safe Food, Animal Welfare, Broadcasting and Women's Affairs
Nicaragua
  • Grupos Hijas del Maiz
  • International Peoples Health Council (IPHC ), Maria Hamlin Zuniga, Global Coordinator
  • Regional Committee for the Promotion of Community Health
Norway
  • African Information Service Center, Dele Olawole
  • Dr. Stephen Barstow
Pakistan
  • The Network for Consumer Protection , Tahir Hasnain, Project Coordinator
  • Sustainable Development Policy Institute, Islamabad, Dr. Abid Qaiyum Suleri
Peru
  • Asociacion Quechua-Ayamara ANDES (IPBN), Alejandro Argumedo
Philippines
  • Ecological Society of the Philippines, Javier M. Claparols, Director
  • Pesticide Action Network Philippines, Romeo F. Quijano, M.D., President
  • Southeast Asia Regional Initiative for Community Empowerment (SEARICE), Elenita C. Daño, Executive Director
Poland
  • AGRO BIO TEST, Organic Certification Body, Ursula Soltysiak. Ph.D.
South Africa
  • Benjamin Cousins
  • Bev Stacey
  • Deborah Lesurf
  • Earth Products, Har Bhajan S. Khalsa
  • Julian, Wilropark
  • Kizito Nsanzya, University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg
  • Mandi Kraft, Wilropark
  • Organic World Import & Export
  • PERMACORE: The Permaculture Foundation of the Western Cape, Lisa Kriel, Chair
  • The Safe Food Coalition, Andrew Taynton
  • South African Freeze Alliance on Genetic Engineering, Gillian Kerchhoff, National Coordinator
Spain
  • Amigos de la Tierra Spain (Friends of the Earth Spain), Liliane Spendeler, Coordinadora del Area de Biotecnología
Switzerland
  • Erklärung von Bern - Berne Declaration
Tanzania
  • Aang Serian, Gemma Burford & Lesikar Ole Ngila
  • Foundation HELP, Benedict Chacha Peter
  • Mapambazuko Training Center, Dr. Eamonn Brehony
Thailand
  • Focus on the Global South, Shalmali Guttal and Chanida Chanyapate Bamford
  • The ThaiCraft Association
Uganda
  • Consumer Education Trust (CONSENT), Kimera Henry Richard, CEO
  • Doreen Lwanga, Human Rights & Policy Activist
  • Dr. Venansius Baryamureeba, Director Institute of Computer Science at Makerere University
  • Youth Development Africa (YDA), Maria Nakimera, Coordinator
United Kingdom
  • Africa Local Development Union, Ernest RUKANGIRA
  • Anti-Globalisation Network, Chris Keene
  • Architects and Engineers for Social Responsibility (AESR), Kate Macintosh, Chairperson
  • Audrey Miller, Birmingham
  • Burnhams Group, Caroline Clarke, Coordinator
  • Cathy Lesurf
  • Chrissie Wildwood, freelance health writer for C.W. Daniel Publishing
  • Coresys Consult, Ambrose Mann
  • D. Mcfarlane, Newport on Tay
  • David Smart-Knight, Cornwall
  • Future in Our Hands, Michael Thomas
  • The Gaia Trust, Kate O'Connell
  • Intermediate Technology Development Group (ITDGPractical Action),
    Patrick Mulvany, Food Security Policy Adviser
  • International Society for Ecology and Culture, Dr. Christian Taylor
  • Islamic Foundation for Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Fazlun Khalid, Director
  • Pesticide Action Network UK, Barbara Dinham
  • Rachel Smart-Knight, Cornwall
  • Robert Biel, Senior Lecturer in Development Studies, University College, London
  • Scarborough Against Genetic Engineering
  • SMILE Tribe
  • Soil Association, Organic Certification Agency, Joy Carey
  • South Dorset Friends of the Earth, Helen Ellery
  • Taunton Friends of the Earth, Biddy Garstang.
  • The Sustainable Trust, Pip Richards
  • Swindon Friends of the Earth, Jean Saunders
  • Weeley against Genetic Exploitation, Mrs L.E. Priest
  • Wessex Organic Movement
United States
  • 49th Parallel Biotechnology Consortium, Phil Bereano, Co-Director
  • Anarchist Action of Rochester
  • Border Ecology Project, Richard Kamp
  • Clean Water Action
  • Community Nutrition Institute, Rod Leonard
  • Derrick Braaten
  • Earthcraft Farm, Signe Waller and Jim Rose
  • Food Matters, Chris Dilley
  • François Coutu, New York
  • Global Renaissance, Jerry A. Moles
  • Greater Kansas City Fair Trade Coalition, Clem Wittman, President
  • Heather McMillen, Graduate Student, University of Hawaii
  • Human Rights Project, Jesse Moorman, Attorney
  • Institute for Social Ecology, Brian Tokar
  • Jerold Hubbard, Johnson, Kansas
  • Kathleen McAfee, School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, Yale University
  • Kirsten Morel
  • Julie Klassen, Northfield Minnesota
  • Laura Middlebrooks, M.A.
  • Mangrove Action Project, Alfredo Quarto, Executive Director
  • Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns, Kathleen McNeely
  • Miguel A Altieri, Professor, University of California, Berkeley
  • Mothers for Natural Law, Laura Ticciati, Executive Director
  • North Carolina Citizens for Safe Food, Mark Huebner
  • Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition, Vivian Stockman
  • Organic Consumers Association, Ronnie Cummins
  • People-Centered Development Forum, David Korten
  • Pesticide Action Network North America, Monica Moore, Co-Director
  • Rochester Food Not Bombs
  • Rural Advancement Foundation International (RAFI), Michael Sligh
  • Sacred Earth, Educational Forum and Networking Resource for Ethnobotany and Eco-travel, Kat Morgenstern
  • Sada Ceesay, CNE,MCSE,CCNA, New York
  • Shane Prigge, Minneapolis, Minnesota
  • Sister Barbara Celeskey, S.J.
  • The Synergos Institute, Andrea J. Rogers
  • United Church of Christ Network for Environmental and Economic Responsibility, Rev. Douglas B. Hunt, PhD
  • Virginia Hamill, Ahawnee Mission
  • Volker Bahn, Dept. of Wildlife Ecology, University of Maine
  • Washington Biotechnology Action Council, Phil Bereano, Vice-President
Yugoslavia
  • Green Network of Vojvodina, Olivera Radovanovic
  • Postovani Prijatelji, Branislav Marinkov
  • Snezana Kresoja, Futog

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