NGO asks gov't to deny Bayer petition

http://business.inquirer.net/money/breakingnews/view_article.php?article_id=
101164
By Amy R. Remo
Posted date: November 15, 2007

An international nongovernmental organization has asked the government
to deny an application of pharmaceutical giant Bayer for commercial
distribution of its genetically modified rice, Liberty Link Rice 62,
on grounds that the evaluation process is "concealed from the public."

The Southeast Asia Regional Initiative for Community Empowerment
(SEARice) raised the alarm, saying the "concealment" also posed
serious questions on the independence of the government's Scientific
and Technical Review Panel from GMO-producing firms.

"We urge the Department of Agriculture to divulge the composition of
the STRP and assure the public of the members' independence from any
GMO firm's interest," said Socrates Lugasip, SEARice technical
officer.

According to the DA, the STRP is composed of at least three "reputable
and independent scientists ... to evaluate the application,
particularly the risk assessment studies conducted and actions taken
by relevant regulatory authorities in the country of origin."

Lugasip said allowing the importation of this GM rice required
transparency and public knowledge as rice is the Filipinos' staple
food.

"The people need to know the reasons behind the government's rush to
allow this, despite the fact that the rice has not been grown
commercially elsewhere nor does it have any history of safe
consumption by humans," Lugasip said.

Bayer, for its part, said it could not issue an official statement due
to a pending case on the commercialization of the LLRICE62.

Greenpeace filed this year a petition against the use of Bayer's
LLRice62 for food, animal feed and processing.

SEARice said a member of the STRP had said he would dismiss the
application of LLRICE62 for lack of merit.

"Would it enhance agricultural productivity, global competitiveness,
lower the price of rice in the market, alleviate poverty and hunger,
improve the health of the rice-eating Filipinos?" said STRP member
Emerlito Borromeo.

Borromeo added that the evaluation of GMO applications should not be
left to STRP alone because the panel's perspective was confined only
to technical aspects, and does not cover the economic and
sociocultural implications of a particular GMO.