Farmers, crofters, activists and NGOs who gathered at the 7th European conference of Let’s Liberate Diversity have restated their commitment to keeping seed diversity alive on their farms and in their gardens so that the world can have good food in the future.
Organised by the Scottish Crofting Federation and held in Strathpeffer in the Scottish Highlands, the delegates sent a resounding message rejecting GMOs to the UK corporations, institutions, organisations and government that are trying to soften up the British public to accept GM food and animal feeds.
The conference welcomed Dave Thompson, the Scottish National Party MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, who confirmed the Scottish Government’s ongoing opposition to GMOs stating that the Scottish government has a policy opposing GM food and feed in Scotland, and he does not see that changing.
They also heard from Dr Zsuzsanna Bardocz, wife of Arpad Puztai, the ousted scientist at the Rowett Research Institute who blew the whistle on the dangers of eating GM crops. Dr Bardocz brought a message from her Hungarian Rural Affairs Minister pronouncing Hungary’s opposition to GMOs in food and agriculture.
The conference heard speakers outline the arguments against GM foods and feed, and explain some of the sustainable and more productive methods of providing good quality food that consumers actually want. Andrea Ferrante from the European Coordination Via Campesina said: “GMOs not only threaten our Farmers’ Rights to use, save, exchange and sell our seeds but also threaten the biodiversity on our farms, essential for sustaining food production. We are very concerned that the EU Council still has not found a solution that will allow Member States to ban GMOs as the majority of farmers and consumers want.”
“We see no place for GMO-based ‘High Risk Farming’ in our food system;” said Patrick Mulvany, Chair of the UK Food Group, one of the organisers of the conference. “Most food in the world is grown and consumed locally in production systems that are dependent on agrochemicals and dependent GM seeds, controlled by corporations. To secure our future food, we want to defend this productive food system and food sovereignty based on farmers’ own biodiverse and resilient seeds,” he added.
Norman Leask, a Shetland crofter and director of the Scottish Crofting Federation, said, “We will defend our seeds and breeds and our local food system. The gathering of these people in Strathpeffer was a gathering of hearts and of a strong spirit that will defend our rights and traditions and strengthen our opposition to GMOs.”
- The “Let’s Liberate Diversity” forum is an annual gathering of farmers and associations from all across Europe. This year’s forum (the seventh) was hosted by the Scottish Crofting Federation to coincide with their Crofters Annual Gathering.
- The event was organised by the European Coordination of Let’s Liberate Diversity in conjunction with the Scottish Crofting Federation, Heritage Seed Library/Garden Organic, Practical Action and other members of the UK food group.
- The European Coordination of Farmers Seed Networks is the umbrella organisation for seed networks in, Italy (Rete Semi Rurali), France (Réseau Semences Paysanne), Spain (Red de Semillas), Switzerland (Pro Specie Rara), and Scotland (Scottish Crofting Federation). Partner networks from outwith Europe were also invited to partake in this event.
- The event entertained around 150 delegates from across the UK and Ireland, France, Italy, Hungary, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, Greece, Romania, Denmark, Senegal and Tunisia.
Contacts:
Norman Leask SCF: 01595 693 714 / 07957 936 831
SCF Office: 01599 530 005
Patrick Mulvany (UK Food Group): patrickmulvany@clara.co.uk / 07949 575 711
Dr Zsuzsanna Bardocz (Védegylet-Hungary): zsuzsanna.bardocz@vm.gov.hu
For pictures of the event and for more information see the LLD7 website: http://www.liberate-diversity-scotland2012.org/index.html#
