8/20/2019 feb21.2016Don’t rush commercialization of genetically modified crops

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Don’t rush commercialization of genetically modified crops

Anakpawis Party-list Rep. Fernando L. Hicap is seeking congressional intervention

against the reported action by government to rush the issuance of a oint administrative

order on the new rules and regulations on research! approval and commerciali"ation of 

genetially modified organisms #$%&' crops.

Hicap is author of House Resolution ()*+ ,epressing the sense of the House of 

representatives against the fast tracking of a oint administrative order on the rules and

regulation for the research and development! handling and use! transboundary movement!

release into the environment and management of plant and plant products derived from theuse of modern biotechnology.

Recent newspaper reports have it that a /oint 0epartment 1ircular on the issue of 

$% crops has been scheduled for signing this 2uesday! February (3.

2he author noted that last 0ecember *! (+4*! the 5upreme 1ourt issued its final

ruling concerning the $%& particularly on the 62 eggplant case! upholding in the process

an earlier court of Appeals decision.

2he 5upreme 1ourt said7 “Assessing the evidence on record, as well as the current  state of GMO research worldwide, the court finds all the three conditions present in this

case -- uncertainty, the possibility of irrevocable harm and the possibility of serious harm.

“Eggplants talong! are a staple vegetable in the country and grown by small-scale

 farmers, ma"ority of whom are poor and marginali#ed. $hile the goal of increasing crop

 yields to raise farm incomes is laudable, independent scientific studies revealed 

uncertainties due to unfulfilled economic benefits from %& crops and plants, adverse

effects on the environment associated with use of GM technology in agriculture, and 

 serious health ha#ards from consumption of GM foods. 'or a biodiversity-rich countryli(e the )hilippines, the natural and unforeseen conse*uences of contamination and 

 genetic pollution would be disastrous and irrevocable.+

2his is also the demand of various groups that recently met with Agriculture

5ecretary Proceso /. Alcala! asking the 0A head not to rush issuance of said rules and

regulations.

2he various groups include7 $reenpeace8 %agsasaka at 5iyentifiko para sa pag-

unlad ng Agrikultura #%asipag'8 $reen Action PH #$raph'8 Advocates of 5cience andtechnology for the People #Agham'8 Pesticide Action 9etwork Philippines #PA9'8

:ilusang %agbubukig ng Pilipinas #:%P' and the 1enter or Health ;nitiatives and

%anagement of

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Rep. Hicap noted that the 51 decision also temporarily stopped the government

from accepting application for field testing! propagating! and importing genetically

modified organism #$%&' and effectively nullified Administrative &rder 9o.= series of 

(++( or the ,Rules and Regulation for the ;mportation and Release into the se of %odern 6iotechnology.

Last /anuary (+4)! Hicap revealed that ,officers from the 0epartment of 5cience

and 2echnology! 0epartment of Agriculture! 0epartment of se! 2ransboundary movement! Release into

the se of 

%odern 6iotechnology.

,?arious organi"ations of farmers! scientists and food security advocates have

epressed concern over what they see as an irregularly hasty manner in which the

government has conducted the process of consultations for the drafting of the new

administrative order! Hicap stressed.

Hicap pointed out that mentioned groups surmised that ,it appears that in their haste

to appease the private businesses and corporations! the government agencies missed the

 point of the 5upreme 1ourt decision which is to ensure the public@s safety against a

 potentially harmful technology by calling for policy reform! meaningful public participation and ascertaining the safety of $%&s through Precautionary Principle! and