Recognizing that the proponents of Genetic Modification (GM) Technology are strongly promoting its use in food production and that the most significant proponents are powerful multinational companies with financial motives,
Being aware that more than 80 countries, including Members States of the European Union and many developing countries opposed "The Trade-above-all" position at the bio-safety protocol talks at the World Trade Organization (WTO),
Concerned that currently major decisions with long-term and worldwide implications on the use of GM technology and its products are being considered with insufficient public awareness and involvement,
Recognizing the importance of all information - including what areas of knowledge are still insufficiently researched and understood [e.g. Horizontal Gene Transfer (HGT), long term environment effects on flora and fauna, soil and microbes, etc.] - being considered, analysed and appreciated before widening the practice of GM technology relating to food production and the trade of GM food products,
Recalling that the Precautionary Principle states that if there are reasonable scientific grounds for believing that a new process or product may not be safe, it should not be introduced until there is convincing evidence that the risks are small and outweighed by the benefits. And further - that the burden of proof be on the innovator or perpetrator to demonstrate beyond reasonable doubt that the innovation is safe rather than requiring the rest of society to prove that it is not,
THE INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF WOMEN Calls upon ICW members and its permanent representatives to The United Nations (UN) to
Support the work of the UN and their governments in implementing any bio-safety protocol agreement which includes the Precautionary Principle and mandatory labelling of all foods with GM ingredients,
Urge their governments to:
1. bring the issue of GM technology, particularly regarding its long-term public and environment safety and trade in GM food products into the public forum,
2. cease promoting the trade of potentially harmful GM food products.
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Source: International Council of Women (ICW-CIF) — 30th General Assembly, Perth, Western Australia, August 31 – September 5, 2003. Resolution No. 4.
