Sign GM Food Petition now!

A few days ago, the European Commission approved growing genetically modified crops in the European Union for the first time in 12 years!

Consumers, public health, environmental and farmers groups have long rallied against a few international GM companies having such significant influence over European agriculture. Concerns about growing GM crops include: contamination of organic crops and the environment; their impact on climate due to the excessive need for pesticides; the destruction of biodiversity and local agriculture; and the effects of GM food on public health.

EU member states have voiced strong opposition to last week's decision to authorise BASF's potato and Monsanto's maize, including Italy and Austria, which want to ban GM cultivation, and France, which said it would ask for further scientific research.

There is still no consensus on the long-term effects of GM crops. And
it is the GM industry, pursuing profits not public well being, that is
funding the science and driving the regulatory environment. That is
why European citizens are calling for more independent research,
testing and precaution before crops are unleashed onto our land: we have to get the facts first before growing foods that could pose a threat to our health and environment.

Now, the "European Citizens' Initiative" gives 1 million EU citizens the opportunity to submit policy proposals to the European Commission and offers us a unique chance to drown out lobbyists' influence. Let's build a million voices for a ban on GM foods until the research is done; they will be delivered to Mr. Barroso, President of the European Commission.

Avaaz, a global web movement, is promoting a petition to raise 1 million voices to put a moratorium on the introduction of GM crops into Europe and set up an independent, ethical and scientific body to research and determine the strong regulation of GM crops.

Sign the petition now and then forward it widely!