On Saturday 25th May at 9am – 12 noon there will be a support group of concerned citizens organized by Jamaicans United for Sustainable Development and Carlton Stewart, Former President of The National consumers League, gathered in HWT to join the world wide demonstration against Monsanto’s genetically modified food programme, NO GMOS/ NO 2 GMOS.

The protest will be staged in over 100 countries and governments all over the world, many of whom are preventing Monsanto from attempting to control their food industries and create havoc for their farming communities. The EU countries are particularly vocal on this issue and are rejecting patent applications for GMOS from being filed by Monsanto.

Jamaica is particularly vulnerable to this growing threat as we already import US$1b of food which has damaged our agro-producers and is un-affordable. Further, we have limited, if any, control over the possible importation of GMOs or other harmful foods into the country.

All are invited to attend and join this protest for developing our own food security programme. We expect to hear from concerned Ministers of Government in Agriculture, Foreign Trade, Tourism and members of the public via live radio newscasts on HOT 102 during the morning on this issue. IRIE FM will also assist during the period of the demonstration and beyond

COME WITH YOUR RED & WHITE POSTERS – SAY “NO GMOS”

COME WITH YOUR JAMAICAN COLOURS – SAY “NO 2 GMOS!”

COME OCCUPY HALF WAY TREE (HWT) TO SAVE OUR FARMERS AND OUR FOOD!

Contact:
Carlton Stewart
(876) 325-5432
[email protected]

Related story

GMO March for Food Safety May 25

by  Sharon Chambers

The March for labeling and ban of Genetically modified foods and crops will be held at Half Way Tree, Kingston, Jamaica on Saturday 24th May 2013 from 9am-12pm. The March will be held by Consumer Care. The Food Hygiene Bureau fully supports the work of this organization in its mandate for a safe food supply for our nation. The Food Hygiene Bureau mission to “Protect Consumer Health” view this march as pivotal in this change!

In 2012 Jamaica imported food bill was 1billion US dollars, 90% of that is GMO or has GMO ingredients in them e.g. soy products, corn, processed foods including Baby formulas, ice cream, cows milk etc. Majority of our imports are from countries where GM engineering and crops are allowed, e.g. USA and Canada and yet we have no labeling regulations or checks being carried out at our Ports of entry for this important control. The Food Hygiene Bureau calls on our Government to protect our islands food supply, to promote our traditional crops and support our farmers in producing locally grown Jamaican foodstuffs and therefore reducing the large food imported bill. This can be achieved through taxes, checks at our ports and mandatory labeling of all food containing GM ingredients both locally produced as well as imported.

It’s important to empower people with information they need to make their own healthy choices. People have the right to make decisions based on accurate transparency in labeling. We believe knowledge is power. We implore all Jamaicans to support the march tomorrow through Consumer care and demonstrate peacefully for a change in our Food Safety Policy that allows GM ingredients and GM foods and the possibility of seeds importation without controls!

When: May 23rd, 2013

Where: Half Way Tree, Kingston, Jamaica, W.I.

Why should you Care about Genetically Modified Foods

Genetically engineering of foods….The ability to change the DNA of our food crops through gene manipulation and therefore change the nature of our food nutritional value. Monsanto’s aim is to control the world food supply with the belief to us that we have no choice as food security is at risk and if we do not adopt this technology we will be in a state of famine where we will not be able to feed ourselves. This is far from the truth as studies have shown that where countries have harness GM crops, they have suffered more severely.

The technology of Genetically engineered crops have the ability to change the natural fauna and is a threat to our natural environment. Recent studies have shown serious health effects even for cattle who consumer the crop leaves of GM foods and that farmers will become seed dependent and will have to give undertaking to Monsanto for risks arising from GM crop cultivation on their farm.

Jamaican cuisine has been described as the eclectic mix of Taíno, African, European, Indian and Chinese cuisines, a veritable melting pot of delectable gastronomy. There is something in that piece of ground called Jamaica or Xaymaca that gives a fresh, distinctive, full-flavoured taste to foods that are grown in its soil. Local creativity and the rich variety of foods, spices and herbs grown on the Island allows Jamaica to offer to the world a truly delicious, satisfying and healthy culinary experience, that is rich in the use of farm fresh ingredients and health-preserving herbs such as ginger, garlic, allspice, nutmeg, cinnamon and “scotch bonnet” hot peppers. Tourist and locals travel distances near and far to experience this delightful and healthy culinary tradition.

GM foods entering Jamaica and then being commercialized in Jamaica threaten our export market potential to the rest of the world outside of the USA and Canada. At a time when we are being encouraged to export to the EU, but the EU doesn’t accept GM Foods!!! Our tourism industry is also at risk as more and more markets are being encouraged from countries outside of Canada and the US!! What then of Jamaica land we love?!!!

Jamaica needs to join the following countries where GM foods are banned and where mandatory labeling of GM foods and ingredients are in place:

Italy, Austria, France, Germany, Luxemburg, Portugal, Spain, Greece, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Norway, Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Algeria, Brazil, Bhutan and Paraguay.

Join us on Saturday the 24th May at Half Way Tree Road, Kingston in support of this inaugural event which sets to change our nation’s diet and our country’s agricultural and tourism capability. Without your support we will not make history in the ban of Genetically Modified foods from our diet.

Contact:

Marva Hewitt
Founder/CEO
E-mail us at: [email protected]
Food Hygiene Bureau: http://www.foodhygienebureau.org/
+447415113771 (UK)

Sharon Parris-Chambers
Positive Tourism News
1-876-275-3169
[email protected]