KAMPANIA "STOP DLA GMO W POLSCE"

On 27 April 2006, the Polish Seym (lower house) passed an Act about changes in the Seed Production Act and the Plant Protection Act. The Act had already been passed by the Senate (upper house).

The Act introduces a ban on the genetically modified seeds trade in Poland and forbids the inclusion of genetically modified plants in the national plant record. IT IS A VERY GOOD STEP IN THE DIRECTION OF MAKING POLAND A GMO FREE COUNTRY. The Act is a joint success of the representatives of local authorities in the voivodeships/provinces, non-governmental organisations, farmers, politicians and scientists!

!!!The Act still has to be signed by the President. It will not become Law until this is done - and he will be under a lot of pressure from the biotech corporations not to sign! We therefore URGENTLY request you to send letters concerning this issue to the Polish President. The Polish Seeds Act, if signed, will set a precident for the whole of Europe and greatly increase pressure for an EU law giving rights to both regions and countries to ban GMO's.

Below can find an example letter to our President which you can use. The address is also there. PLEASE WRITE NOW!

• [*.pdf]
• [*.doc]

+++++++++++++++ 

President of Poland
Lech Kaczynski
Kancelaria Prezydenta RP
ul.Wiejska 10,
00-902 Warszawa
Fax: 022 695-22-38, e-mail: listy@prezydent.pl

Dear President Lech Kaczynski,

 We are greatly encouraged to hear about the progress being made by the Seed Production Act, introducing a ban on the genetically modified seeds trade in Poland and forbidding the inclusion of genetically modified seeds in the national plant record.

 The ratification of this act by the Seym and the Senate is a major step towards making Poland a GMO Free Country and fulfilling the promises made at the time of the elections.

 Now, we understand, your personal endorsement of this highly commendable initiative will ensure that the act becomes law. We strongly urge you to take this step which will send a powerful signal to the rest of Europe. As you may know, there are more than 170 large and 4,500 smaller regions within the EU that have declared themselves “GMO Free”.

The precedent created by passing the Polish Seeds Act will greatly assist the Countries in which these regions exist to press for an EU law giving rights to both regions and countries to ban GMO’s.  

The passing of the act will also be warmly applauded by the great majority of European citizens who have consistently stated their wish to prohibit GMO’s in both food and the environment.

 It is widely recognized that Poland is exceptionally rich in the unpolluted biodiversity

of nature and has great potential to be a leading European producer of ecological, high quality foods. You will doubtless be under pressure from certain quarters to ignore this fact and to give in to the GM corporate lobby. 

 However, your endorsement of the Seeds Act will mean that this treasure will not be lost and that Polish farmers and consumers of Polish food will be properly protected against the increasingly evident dangers surrounding genetically modified organisms.

  You have our strong support in taking this highly responsible initiative, the repercussions of which can only be positive. 

 Yours faithfully,