Dear
supporter
Today the Soil Association publishes 'Seeds of Doubt' -
an
explosive report that shows the devastating impact of
commercial
genetically modified (GM) crop planting in North
America.
READ OUR FINDINGS AND TAKE ACTION TODAY...
1 ONLINE
AT:
http://212.134.64.242:86/ss?click&sas&3d820a4a
2 OR TELL ME MORE NOW (just read
on...)
This major new report shows that GM crops have been an
economic
disaster in the USA and Canada. 'Seeds of Doubt' is the
first
detailed look at what has happened in North America since
the
commercial growing of GM crops started in 1996.
This study has
gathered sufficient evidence to debunk the myth
that GM technology represents
progress.
The evidence suggests that, in reality, virtually every
benefit
claimed for GM food crops has NOT occurred. Instead, farmers
are
reporting lower yields, continuing dependency on chemical
sprays, loss of
exports and, critically, reduced profits. This
is leaving farming even more
vulnerable to the interests of
biotechnology companies and in need of
subsidies.
The report makes disturbing reading at a time when a
decision
has to be made in the UK about the commercial introduction of
GM
crops. We hope our report will lead to a better informed
public debate
and a more independent, less pressurised
decision.
The government has
asked its advisory body, the Agriculture
and Environment Biotechnology
Commission (AEBC), to arrange
a GM public debate. This will take place before
any commercial
growing of GM crops. This debate is a crucial
opportunity
for organic food consumers, farmers, processors and
retailers
to tell the government what they think. We hope our report
will
be a helpful contribution.
Read the summary of our report online
at
http://212.134.64.242:86/ss?click&sas&3d820a4a
If you share our concerns, there are two simple
things you can
do which will make a real
difference:
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
WHAT
YOU CAN DO...
ACTION 1: Write to a national or local paper highlighting
North
American farmers' experiences of GM crops - you may like to use
the
report summary as a basis for your letter. Please remember
to send us a copy
of any letters that are published or any
correspondence you receive (contact
details below).
ACTION 2: Ring the customer care line of your
local
supermarket (list of numbers below). Tell them:
+ You buy organic
food from them and you want to be able to buy
UK produced organic food
whenever possible.
+ That you are worried that if commercial planting of GM
crops
goes ahead in the UK, all farms will become contaminated by GM
and
will you not be able to buy uncontaminated British food,
even if it's organic
food.
+ Ask the supermarket what they are going to do to make sure
this
doesn't happen.
+ Please send us any replies (contact details
below).
ASDA
0500 100 055
Co-op
(CWS) 0800 317
827
Iceland Foods
01244 842 842
Marks & Spencer
0207 268 1234
Safeway 016722 712
899
Sainsbury's 0800 636
262
Somerfield 0117 935
6669
Tesco
0800 50 55 55
Waitrose 0800 188
884
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
WHAT
ELSE CAN YOU DO?
- Make a donation to our GM appeal online at:
http://www.soilassociation.org/sa/saweb.nsf/donationgm
(some of you will also be sent our special GM
appeal pack)
- Not already a Soil Association member? To join us just
send
an email to mailto:memb@soilassociation.org and quote ref
EMGM