Group bucks field testing of BT corn

A group of environmentalists has expressed opposition to the field testing of Bacillus thurengiensus (BT) corn in some provinces in the country, particularly in Cotabato and Laguna.

In a letter to President Arroyo, the Commission on Environment, Economic and Social Policy (CEESP) of the World Conservation Union-IUCN expressed concern that the Philippine government, through the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, has approved the said field testing.

Dr. M. Taghi Farvar, chairman, cautions the President against the dangers of GMO field-testing and its irreversible serious effects of agricultural crops and the ability to defend against certain insect pests. Dr. Farvar said "GMOs are unfortunately designed more to benefit multinational corporations by making the farmers dependent on their products." He added that use of GMOs could lead to further weakening of food security especially in the developing world, and is thus a threat to both the agricultural sector and the environment.

This move is the most recent development in a series of actions being initiated by the Ecological Society of the Philippines (ESP) under the leadership of Antonio Claparols. Prior to the International Union’s letter to the President, Claparols also called the attention of DENR Secretary Heherson Alvarez to revoke the permit allowing the planting of genetically engineered trees in Agusan del Sur. The group is also calling for a total ban on products laced with GMOs.