Philippine Regional Trial Court issues preliminary injunction on “unnatural” rice

PRESS RELEASE

September 19, 2007

SEARICE
29 Magiting Street, Teachers’ Village
Diliman, Quezon City
Telefax: 922-6710

Contact Person: Agnes Lintao
Mobile: 0919-2156943



Philippine Regional Trial Court issues preliminary injunction on “unnatural” rice

September 18, 2007, Quezon City, Philippines -- The regional trial court (RTC) Branch 101 of Quezon City issued a preliminary injunction on the application of Bayer Crop Science for its genetically modified (GM) rice, Liberty-linked Rice 62 (LL62) for food, feed or for processing (FFP)), to the Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Plant and Industry (DA-BPI) from taking any further action while the case is being heard.

Earlier, Judge Evangeline Castillo-Marigomen of RTC Branch 101 already issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) on LLRICE62 based on the petition filed by six (6) main petitioners including Bb. Pilipinas Ana Theresa Licaros, actress Angel Aquino, model Amanda Claire Griffin, renowned environmentalist Von Hernandez, Sister Arnold Maria Noel, and Ms. Wilhelmina R. Pelegrina.

“The issuance of the preliminary injunction is very timely as the 20-day TRO earlier issued is about to expire yesterday when Justice Marigomen issued her decision the very the same day,” said Agnes Lintao, Policy Officer of Southeast Asia Regional Initiatives for Community Empowerment (SEARICE).

The LLRice 62 developed by Bayer CropScience is genetically modified by inserting a gene from a soil bacterium that is capable of neutralizing glufosinate ammonium, the chemical substance contained in Liberty Herbicide, making the LLRice 62 tolerant to the said herbicides, also developed by Bayer.

“This development related to this unnatural rice is a legal victory of the cause of many farmers’ organizations, consumers’ groups, civil society organizations, environmentalists, and among others of safeguarding the health of Filipinos and the environment as well. This also shows that our judicial system is really looking at the certainty of the general welfare of human kind. However, we should continue to be watchful in the whole process”, Lintao added.

The petition was filed to declare the provisions on public consultations contained in DA Administrative Order Number 8 (AO8) as unconstitutional for being in violation of the public’s right to health, to a balance and healthy ecology, and right to information as provided for in the 1987 Constitution. It basically seeks to prohibit the Secretary of DA and the Director of the BPI from taking any further action in considering the application by respondent Bayer CropScience.


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