Rights
corner
World
Consumer Rights Day 2005
On
March 15, 2005, World Consumer Rights Day, consumer organisations
all over the world say no to GMOs! Consumer International
(CI) member organisations made lobby with governments,
held public meetings and street demonstrations to stop
the spread of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). They
demand labelling of all GM foods and independent safety
testing.
Consumers
have a right to information, a right to choice and a right
to safety. On March 15, consumer organisations campaign
for labelling of all foods containing or derived from
GMOs. They demand that alternatives to GM foods remain
widely available. Ways must be found to establish and
secure GM-free areas, and strict rules introduced to prevent
contamination of conventional and organic crops. All foods
containing or derived from GMOs must be independently
tested and subject to international safety guidelines.
David
Cuming, CI GM Campaign Manager says: 'The insertion of
GMOs into foodstuffs threatens fundamental consumer rights.
Consumers International is concerned about GMOs because
we have yet to see tangible benefits for consumers and
farmers. We campaigned on this issue in the past and it
remains at the top of the consumer agenda.'
CI
have released three fact sheets, for World Consumer Rights
Day, covering key issues on GMOs: Why consumers should
take action; Get your food labelled; and "Co-existence"
or GM-free zones? CI members are receiving ideas for action,
such as events and lobbying, and model letters for international
and national authorities and retailers.
Source:
Consumers International.
