GMO-free initiative succeeds

On 27 November 2005, the Swiss people approved the popular initiative in favour of food from GMO-free agriculture by a vote of over 55 per cent. The initiative called for a five-year ban on the cultivation of genetically modified crops in agriculture. Alliance Sud supported the popular initiative (see Alliance Sud News No. 44, October 2005), as it is convinced that genetic engineering is not the answer to the food problems of developing countries.

Opponents of the initiative repeatedly maintained during the campaign that genetic engineering was making a contribution to worldwide nutrition and to the fight against hunger. Alliance Sud decisively opposed that argument. Genetic engineering is geared towards large producers and agricultural corporations, and is effectively squeezing small farmers much faster out of business.

Besides, patent fees make genetically modified seeds more expensive than traditional ones and are controlled by a handful of large corporations. This is driving small farmers into debt as well as dependence on the agricultural corporations. Many small farmers’ organisations and governments in Africa, Latin America and Asia are opposing the admission of genetically modified seeds as is being demanded by the USA and the major seed-producing companies above all. The clear yes from the Swiss population to GMO-free agriculture is an important signal to those countries and farmers.

Contact: Michèle Laubscher, Alliance Sud