CA ruling vs Bt eggplant, golden rice propagation hit

MANILA, Philippines — The judiciary should not overstep its authority on genetically modified organisms or GMOs as regulations on biotechnology must be left to scientists and pertinent regulators, according to a member of the Monetary Board of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

V. Bruce Tolentino of the BSP Monetary Board said the recent decision by the Court of Appeals (CA) stopping the propagation of Bt eggplant and golden rice is a “step backward for the Philippines.”

Tolentino said the appellate court’s decision would have “serious negative impact” on the country’s efforts to attain nutrition security and improve domestic crops.

He said the judiciary should respect scientists and their work in the same way as scientists should not venture in matters pertaining to law.

“Unfortunately, the (CA’s) decision was based on fear of science and misplaced populism,” Tolentino, former deputy director-general of the International Rice Research Institute, said.

The CA granted a writ of kalikasan to the Magsasaka at Siyentipiko para sa Pag-unlad Agrikultura, Greenpeace Southeast Asia-Philippines and other environmental groups, citing potential risks of the two genetically modified crops to the environment and public health.

A writ of kalikasan is a legal remedy that safeguards people from environmental hazards that threaten life, health or property across two or more municipalities.

The CA issued a cease and desist order and directed the University of the Philippines-Los Baños and the Philippine Rice Research Institute to stop the commercial propagation of golden rice and Bt eggplant.

Tolentino said other countries have a “mixed trend” in dealing with the relationship between their judiciary and biotechnology regulators.

“Many jurisdictions are starting to learn that the precautionary principle is just too conservative and in fact constrains scientific progress,” he said, noting the precautionary principle is a “surrender to populist sentiment.”

Meanwhile, Philippine Chamber of Agriculture and Food Inc. (PCAFI) president Danilo Fausto said the CA’s ruling must not impact soybean meal and corn, which are also genetically modified products, since the decision was only limited to Bt eggplant and golden rice.

Fausto said he received reports that the government has stopped issuing import permits for corn and soybean meal after the CA released the ruling early this week.

He said the PCAFI has raised the matter to Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., who immediately addressed the issue to prevent any disruption in the country’s feed supply.

Soybean meal and corn are used by local feed millers for the production of various feed products for livestock and poultry.

Fausto said the CA’s ruling would mean that the proponents of the Bt eggplant and golden rice are “back to square one.”

Greenpeace earlier welcomed the CA’s decision, noting it was a “monumental win” for Filipinos, including farmers, who opposed GMOs.