Global action against GM
Greenpeace offices are taking action against genetically modified crops and food in a worldwide blitz this month.
Although the great majority of GM crops are still only grown in three countries - USA, Argentina and Canada - GM is sneaking into the food chain of other nations, including the UK, via animal feed.
Australia
The Rainbow Warrior's blockade of the The Rhein, a ship transporting GM soya into Port Kembla Harbour, ended with the arrest of the ship's captain. Less than five hours later Greenpeace activists were back on the job, branding the office tower of Inghams national headquarters in western Sydney with the message "YUK GM feed!" next to the company logo.
The chicken industry is Australia's biggest user of GM soya and Inghams is the country's leading poultry supplier. Its poultry is marketed nationally under several home brand labels without any mention of the fact that the chickens are raised on GM feed.
The Rainbow Warrior blocks The Rhein
Greenpeace launched a Shoppers' Guide to Avoiding GM Food. At the launch, 78 food brands committed to not selling GM food in China. The announcement marks increasing market rejection of GM food in the world's largest food market.
Luxembourg
Twenty activists presented EU Agriculture Ministers in Luxembourg with the clear message that "Europe says No to GMOs". The ministers were voting on whether or not to approve a variety of GM sweet corn for import into Europe.
The Ministers failed to reach a decision. Due to the EU's complicated decision making processes, the European Commission must now make the final decision. If the Commission approves Bt-11, this will be the first GM food to receive authorisation since the EU put a de-facto moratorium into place in 1999.
Outside the EU in Luxembourg
Volunteers painted the words 'Transgenico' and 'GMO' on a cargo ship in Rio Grande. The ship was "labelled" by Greenpeace because it did not have sufficient documentation - required under national law and the Cartagena Protocol - about its cargo of soya. Our activists took samples of the cargo, but they were confiscated by security.
Meanwhile in Curitiba, activists demonstrated against GM foods by labelling products containing GM ingredients, at a Carrefour supermarket. They re-organised shelves of food, separating foods that may contain GM ingredients from products that do not contain GM ingredients. Products that may contain GM ingredients were marked with tape and labels warning the consumers.
Spain
Activists on another Greenpeace ship, the Esperanza, intercepted and boarded the 'Winner' a ship carrying thousands of tons of GM soya. The Winner is anchored just off Malaga in southern Spain. Spain imports 6 million tons of GM annually.
New Zealand
An activist dressed as Ronald McDonald entered an Aukland branch of McDonalds and handed in his resignation. The action was taken in protest at McDonalds use of chicken fed on GM soy meal. The red and yellow clown encouraged McDonalds customers to send messages demanding that the fast food chain stop using GE chicken feed and commit to a non-GE poultry, egg and ingredient supply.
More information
Read more in the weblog.
