Gender: Diverse Women For Diversity

19 February 2003

Campaign on "No GM Food Aid"

Members, National Alliance of Women for Food Rights, Dear Friends,

You might have heard that 10,000 tons of Genetically Engineered (GE) corn-soya blend from the US was sent back by the Govt. of India because it was suspected to be mixed with ‘Starlink”- a corn cleared only for animal feeding in the US since it causes allergies in humans.

The two Aid agencies CARE-India and Catholic Relief Services are trying to import this corn. They had initially tried to challenge the government’s decision on banning imports by bringing the case to Appellate Authority, but withdrew the case. Mr. A.M. Gokhale, who chaired the GEAC earlier had turned down the request of these NGO’s to import GM corn blend from US for distribution among school children and the poor.

These two NGO’s are once again trying to put pressure on Govt. of India for import of GM corn-soya blend for food aid. These are the same agencies that had imported GM corn-soya blend for emergency relief after the Orissa cyclone, against which we had worked jointly. The Research Foundation for Science Technology & Ecology did the tests and the National Alliance of Women for Food Rights had led the campaign to stop the dumping of GM food in the garb of aid. This issue of dumping has also come up in Africa where Zambia has refused to accept GM food aid.

I think it is time for us to organize again to keep our food aid GM free especially since it goes to our most vulnerable groups & communities. Therefore, we enclose a draft letter from us to sign collectively. We are enclosing letters for your signatures addressed to the two NGO’s as well as the GEAC and the Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution and Ministry of Environment & Forests. Please also find enclosed news clipping dated 16th February 2003 and a news item on the health hazard of GM corn.

If you have any suggestion or editorial changes regarding it please send it to our office or fax it by 21st February. Kindly confirm your signatures urgently by 21st February 2003. This matter is urgent since an inter-ministerial group meets on 26th February 2003 to make decision on this controversial issue.

In Solidarity

Vandana Shiva
(Diverse Women for Diversity) (Navdanya)

1. Letter to Sushma Choudhary
2. Letter to Ministers
3. Letter to Care International
4. Letter to CRS

22nd February 2003

Ms Sushma Choudhary
Chairperson Genetic Engineering Approval Committee
Additional Secretary Ministry of Environment and Forests
Paryavaran Bhawan
New Delhi 110 023

Dear Ms. Sushma Choudhary

A news item in the Economic Times of 22nd February 2003 informs us that the GEAC, under pressure of the US government and the PMO will be meeting with USAID representatives to clear the import of hazardous Bt corn-soya blend for food aid.

Your predecessor Mr. Gokhale had rejected a corn shipment that was contaminated with “Starlink” – a Bt corn which is not approved for human consumption anywhere. In fact, all “Starlink” contaminated products were forced to be removed in the US two years ago.

An earlier news item on 16th February 2003 “Government flashes Green Signal for Case by Case GM Food Imports” said that you are thinking of clearing GM food import for the NGOs CARE – India and Catholic Relief Service. These agencies are financed by USAID, which in turn is using public tax money of the US to create markets for unwanted and hazardous GM products that other countries are not buying.

Vulnerable women and children in India do not need to be fed hazardous GM cattlefeed.

We demand

• the ban on GM food imports not be lifted through these corrupt pressures of the US government and the PMO.
• India does not need imports of hazardous GM foods as aid since there are enough surpluses within the country. The government should insist that USAID, CARE and CRS procure their food aid domestically. This will reduce stocks, protect the livelihood of Indian farmers and guarantee food safety.
• GEAC does not allow political and commercial interference in its functioning.
  All imported foods must be tested for GM contamination.
• The GEAC should not have a meeting with the representatives of USAID since this amounts to political and commercial influencing. If such a meeting is held, you should ensure that representatives of National Alliance of women for Food Rights be present to protect the food and health rights of Indian women and children.
  6. All minutes of meetings of GEAC should be made public in the interest of transparency and prevention of corruption.

Yours sincerely,

Vandana Shiva
On behalf of National Alliance for Women’s Food Rights

22nd February 2003

Letter to Ministers

Shri

The National Alliance for Women’s Food Rights, an alliance of women’s organizations of the country working to defend the food rights of all especially women & children. We that believe you are aware of the news that about 10,000 tons of Genetically Engineered (GE) corn-soya blend from the United States was sent back by the Government of India because it was suspected to be mixed with ‘Starlink”- a genetically engineered corn cleared only for animal feeding in the US since it causes allergies in humans.

The two NGO aid agencies, CARE-India and Catholic Relief Services are trying to import this corn. They had initially tried to challenge the government’s decision on banning imports by bringing the case to Appellate Authority, but later withdrew the case. Mr. A.M. Gokhale, who chaired the GEAC earlier, had turned down the request of these NGO’s to import GM corn blend from US for distribution among school children and the poor. Surprisingly Mr. Gokhale was soon removed from that position.

A news item in the Economic Times of 22nd February 2003 informs us that the GEAC, under pressure of the US government and the PMO will be meeting with USAID representatives to clear the import of hazardous Bt corn-soya blend for food aid, which is in any case culturally inappropriate for our diet. USAID is the primary financer of these two NGOs, who are once again trying to put pressure on Government of India for import of GM corn-soya blend for food aid. These are the same agencies that had imported GM corn-soya blend for emergency relief after the Orissa cyclone, against which we have worked jointly. The Research Foundation for Science Technology & Ecology (RFSTE) got the samples of corn soya blend tested and found that it contains genetically engineered products and hence the National Alliance of Women for Food Rights had led the campaign to stop the dumping of GM food in the garb of aid. This issue of dumping has also come up in Africa where Zambia has refused to accept GM food aid.

We strongly oppose GM corn, which contain Starlink corn and which is not approved for human consumption anywhere in the world. Now the government, bowing to the pressures from foreign aid agencies, has decided to review its strategy and allow imports of genetically modified foods, especially the corn. This is totally unnecessary. India has 65 million tones of food surplus, which agencies like USAID, CARE – India and Catholic Relief Services should be procuring for food aid.We also have nutritive crops such as millets and pulses.

We demand:

• The ban on GM food imports not be lifted.
• India does not need imports of hazardous GM foods as aid since there are enough surpluses within the country. Your ministry should insist that USAID, CARE and CRS procure their food aid domestically. This will reduce stocks, protect the livelihood of Indian farmers and guarantee food safety, nutritious foods and culturally appropriate foods.
• No import clearance should be guaranteed till segregation and labeling are fully in place. Also the cost of segregation and labeling should be born by the importing agencies. while the regulatory oversight should be provided with a onsortium of Food related ministries like Ministry of Food & Consumer Affair, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Environment & Forests.
• All imported foods must be tested for GM contamination.
• The GEAC should not have a meeting with the representatives of USAID since this amounts to political and commercial influencing. If such a meeting is held, you should ensure that representatives of National Alliance of women for Food Rights be present to protect the food and health rights of Indian women and children.
  All minutes of meetings of all government agencies related to GM foods should be made public in the interest of transparency and prevention of corruption, and the guarantee the right to information of the people.

Kindly give us time to have urgent meeting with you on this issue so that women’s association can strengthen your hand in evolving a strong health oriented policy on our food and nutrition programmes.

Yours Sincerely

Vandana Shiva
(On behalf of National For Women’s Food Rights)

22nd February 2003

Sir Harold Walker
President
CARE International Secretariat
Boulevard du Regent, 58 / 10
B - 1000 Brussels
Belgium

Dear Mr. Walker,

We as The National Alliance of Women’s Food Rights, an alliance of women’s organizations of the country working to defend the food rights of women and children, are outraged that your agency, CARE-India is putting pressure on our government to import GM corn soya blend for Food Aid.

The Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC), the statutory body responsible for imports and commercialization of all GM products had rejected a 10,000 tonnes corn shipment because it was suspected to be contaminated with “Starlink”- a Bt corn not approved for human consumption because it poses risks of allergenecity. It is only approved for cattle feed. When Taco shells and other food items were found to be contaminated with Bt. Corn “Starlink”- Aventis, the Biotech Corporation was forced to withdraw all products and faced major legal suits in the US.

Your agency in India is putting pressure on the Government of India to allow GM imports (news clipping on “Govt. Flashes Green Signal For Case- by- case GM Food Imports” dated 16th February 2003 is enclosed). Indian children do not need to be fed hazardous GM cattle feed. India has 65 million tonnes of surplus non-GM wheat or rice in our Food Cooperation stocks. If you are a genuine relief agency, we demand you procure food domestically and stop dumping GM foods on innocent victims of hunger and malnutrition. We await your letter confirming that you are stopping GM corn and soya imports for food aid to India. We seek your cooperation in working towards guaranteeing the fundamental right to good safe and adequate food for all people. We hope you will join us in our movement for food rights.

If you continue to dump GM products through the food aid, we will be forced to initiate a campaign to stop your relief operations.

Yours Sincerely

Vandna Shiva
(On behalf of National For Women’s Food Rights)

C.C.: Care-India 27, Hauz Khas Village New Delhi- 110016

22nd February 2003

Kenneth F. Hackett
Executive Director
Catholic Relief Services
209 West Fayette Street
Baltimore, MD 21201-3443

Dear Sir,

We as a National Alliance for Women’s Food Rights, an alliance of women’s organizations of the country working to defend the food rights of women & children, are outraged that your agency, CARE-India is putting pressure on our government to import GM corn soya blend for Food Aid.

The Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC), the statutory body responsible for imports and commercialization of all Genetically Modified (GM) products had rejected a 10,000 tones corn shipment because it was suspected to be contaminated with “Starlink”- a Bt corn not approved for human consumption because it poses risks of allergen city. It is only approved for cattle feed. When Taco shells and other food items were found to be contaminated with Bt. Corn “Starlink”- Aventis, the Biotech Corporation was forced to withdraw all products and faced major legal suits in the US.

Your agency is putting pressure on India to allow GM imports (news clipping on “Govt. Flashes Green Signal For Case- by- case GM Food Imports” dated 16th February 2003 is enclosed). Indian children do not need to be fed hazardous GM cattle feed. India has 65 million tones of surplus non-GM wheat or rice in our Food Cooperation stocks. If you are a genuine relief agency, we demand you procure food domestically and stop dumping GM foods on innocent victims of hunger and malnutrition. We await your letter confirming that you are stopping GM corn and soya imports for food aid to India. We seek your cooperation in working towards guaranteeing the fundamental right to good safe & adequate food for all people on the basis of ethical principles of food aid, which we are enclosing for you We hope you will join us in our movement for food rights.

If you continue to dump GM products through the food aid, we will be forced to initiate a campaign to stop your relief operations.

Yours Sincerely

Vandana Shiva
(On behalf of National For Women’s Food Rights)

CC.- Catholic Relief Services 5, Community Centre, Zamrudpur, Kailash Coloney, N.Delhi-48