During a round table conference on the European Commissions’ proposals on Genetically Modified Organisms, Alternattiva Demokratika said it will be reaffrming its position on the subject. The conference will be taking place at Dar l-Ewropa, St Paul Street between 10am and 12 noon.

According to Simon Galea, AD Spokesperson for Agriculture and Animal Welfare, "Cultivation of GMOs poses a threat to biodiversity particularly through cross pollination with other non GM plants since pollination knows no borders or frontiers. Such contamination include negative economic impact on non GMO farmers mainly those practicising organic methods. Following proposals brought forward by EU Commisioner for Health and Consumer Policy John Dalli, AD urges for a legal framework which puts the protection of human/animal health plus the environment before any other interests including those of multi national companies involved in GMOs."

Michael Briguglio, AD Chairperson, added, "The Commission should strive towards an EU territory free from GMO cultivation and not towards a policy of GMO and non GMO cultivation coexistence."

"Given that the EU is a free trade area, it is very difficult to verify movement of GMOs from one country to the other. The European Commission’s proposals, which will allow individual countries to permit GMO cultivation, are only to the benefit of big GMO companies that aim to make farmers dependent on their products. Together with other European Green Parties, environmental NGOs, consumer organisations and farmers we are therefore opposing Commissioner Dalli’s proposals."

Participants in the round table conference, which will be chaired by AD general secretary Ralph Cassar, include Joseph Abela Medici (MEPA), Tristan Camilleri (Director Regulatory Affairs Directorate, Malta Standards Authority), Joe Sciberras, (Executive Consulation – MEUSAC), Mario Salerno (Malta Organic Agriculture Movement – MOAM), John Portelli (MOAM and IFOAM-EU Board member (International Federation of Organic Movements – EU), Anne Zammit (environmental journalist), Vanya Walker Leigh (Nature Trust), Peppi Gauci (Permaculture Foundation), Joseph Agius (Ramblers Association) and Andre Portelli (Moviment Graffitti).

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