- The genetically modified rice should be immediately withdrawn from the greek market
– The country must be declared free area from GMO
– The Protocol on Biosafety must be immediately applied

1. The exposure of illegal import of genetically modified rice in the Greek market, as in other countries of the EU, causes serious questions, first of all for the effectiveness of the auditing mechanisms and the will of the government to protect the Greek consumers and producers from the use of genetically modified organisms (GMO). More specifically the indifference of the government and the National Organization for Food Auditing- EFET, for direct withdrawal of genetically modified rice and the unacceptable tolerance for its sale in lower price at super-market chains, shows the lack of will of application and this existing relaxed institutional framework.

2. From the other hand the supply of genetically modified rice in the countries of the EU, reveals the big gaps of the Community legislation and the unwillingness of ruling circles of the EU to apply immediately the Carthagena Protocol on Biosafety, which the EU has confirmed and which provides the right, in the name of precaution, the prohibition of the use of GMOs in the production of foods and forages.

3. The Greek Net of Organisations for a Alternative Agricultural Policy requests from the greek government:

· The immediate and checked withdrawal of all quantities of genetically modified rice from the Greek market and the strict punishment of those that are importing it.

· The systematic application of the traceability and labelling in all the imported foods for the existence of GMOs.

· The direct application of the Protocol on Biosafety and the declaration of the country as “Area Free from GMOs”, respecting the decisions of all Prefectures of the country.

Athens, 26/10/2006

The press office of the Greek Net for an Alternative Agricultural Policy