Slow Food is against the commercial planting of genetically modified crops (GMOs) and promotes GMO-free food and feed. Slow Food President Carlo Petrini clarifies the reasons why Slow Food does not support GMOs in the document 10 Reasons to Say no to GMOs.
GMOs present a threat to the precautionary principle: We are capable of transplanting a gene from one species to another but we are not yet able to predict or contain the results, creating yet another risk for biodiversity and the environment. Furthermore, current scientific research is inadequate to demonstrate the safety of GMOs for human or animal health.
GMOs also pose a problem of freedom. They reduce producers’ autonomy by creating economic dependence on seed suppliers, and forcing farmers to grow the same variety. Furthermore, GMOs can cross with neighboring plants, contaminating other farmers’ crops. And consumers are often left in the dark when it comes to understanding which food contain GMOs. Slow Food supports obligatory labeling of all products containing genetically engineered ingredients, thus giving consumers the freedom to make an educated choice about what they eat.
Members of Slow Food the world over are committed to raising awareness and fighting GMOs. Here are some of the actions underway:
Chile
On May 11, 2011, the Chilean Senate approved the adoption of a new convention (International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants [UPOV 91]) that allows the introduction of genetically modified seeds and new laws on the intellectual property rights on seeds. Inevitably, this convention will mean new privileges for seed companies and the loss of farmers’ rights to reproduce, exchange and improve their own seeds.
The Slow Food convivia of Frontera del Sur, San Antonio and Pucón, together with several organizations defending farmers’ rights - Anamuri, Mapuche Health Network, Ranquil, Asamblea Mapuche De Izquirda, Cloc Via Campesina Chile and others - have mobilized and are demonstrating their refusal to accept a Chile dominated by GMOs and seed multinationals.
For information: p.alonso@slowfood.com
Europe
In February 2010 a GM potato was approved for commercial growing in the EU, sparking great protest among environmentalists, consumers and farmers. Slow Food is opposed to the EU Commission’ decision to break the moratorium on GMO cultivation which follows the economic interests of multinational companies without taking into consideration the as-yet unknown dangers to public health and to the environment. The governments of Greece, Austria, Luxembourg, Italy, Hungary and France have publicly announced that they will not allow the cultivation of the GE potato in their countries.
In 2008 Slow Food International joined the European GMO-Free Regions Network. The network was established in November 2003 when 10 European Regions signed a joint declaration at the European Parliament to safeguard their agriculture policies – primarily based on the support of high quality, regional and low impact productions - which can be disrupted by the introduction of GMOs.
Germany
Slow Food Germany signed the No Patents On Seeds campaign in 2009, calling on governments and patent offices to revise patent regulations in the EU, US and in many other countries, as well as the WTO TRIPS Agreement, in order to stop the monopolization and corporate control of the world’s genetic resources.
An anti-GMO food community in Bavaria brings together citizens to organize a range of activities in protest against GMOs, including rallies and Eat-Ins.
For information: info@zivilcourage.ro
Iceland
In 2009 Slow Food Reykjavik convivium launched a campaign against GMOs following the decision earlier in the year by the Icelandic government to begin experimentation with GM cultivation. Stated as being specifically for pharmaceuticals, the trialing has been viewed by many as a way to open the GMO door to agriculture and food production and thousands of people quickly joined their Facebook group. Today the convivium is looking for legal support to assist them to revoke the authorization of this experimentation.
For information: dominique@simnet.is
Italy
In 2007, Slow Food and the Italy/Europe Free of GMOs Coalition promoted a national debate on ‘food quality and sustainability’ and called on all Italian scientists to sign the ‘Responsible Science for Sustainable Food’ appeal. The same year the coalition started the National Consultation on GMOs and Food System for Italy.
In 2010 Slow Food Italy joined the GMO-Free Italy Task Force.
For information: centrostudi@slowfood.it
Mexico
In January 2010, Slow Food Tehuacán Mixteca Popoloca convivium launched a campaign to protect traditional varieties of maize after the Mexican government gave the go ahead for the first legal plantings of GM corn following a decade-long battle. The convivium is concerned that modified genes could spread and contaminate genetically valuable native varieties and is working to educate family and farmer organizations about the richness of their country's biodiversity, encouraging the Mexican community to be proud of their cultural heritage and to work for its revitalization.
For information: raulhernandez@alternativas.org.mx
Nordic Countries
During the meeting of Nordic countries at Terra Madre 2010, delegates from Sapmi, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Norway, Faroe Islands, Greenland and Iceland discussed a statement that would describe their united position on GMOs. The result was a declaration against GMOs that the convivium leaders, members and food communities could use to lobby against the introduction of these crops, presenting it to their governments and others. The convivium leader of Slow Food Reykjavik in Iceland presented the document to the country’s environment minister directly following the meeting, and more presentation will follow as they undertake their campaign for a GMO free Nordic region.
For information: Dominique Plédel Jónsson, Slow Food Reykjavik convivium leader: dominique@simnet.is
Russia
In Russia, members are raising consumer awareness and lobbying for compulsory labeling of GM products together with the Russian National Genetic Safety Association whose president, Alexander Baranov, is the convivium leader of Slow Food Mosca-Kovcheg.
For information: asbaranoff@yandex.ru
Spain
Terres de Lleida convivium has been campaigning against the cultivation of GMOs together with the Spanish association Trangènics fora! for several years. In June 2009, the convivium joined forces with the ecologist movement Som lo que sembrem in a hunger strike outside the Catalan parliament to protest against the government’s decision to allow cultivation of GMO crops in their region.
For information: info@slowfoodterresdelleida.com
Uruguay
Slow Food Canario Convivium is working in support of a new law that would ban the cultivation, including experimental open air plantings, of genetically modified soya and corn and is also lobbying for obligatory labeling legislation for all GMO products.
For information: laura.rosano@gmail.com
For more information on Slow Food and GMOs, please write to: centrostudi@slowfood.it
To download Slow Food's graphic material on GMOs, please click on the following items:
Large poster 1
Large poster 2
Sticker
Leaflet
To access this material in high resolution or in french, spanish or italian, write to communication@slowfood.com
