Anti-GMO alliance announces international protest in the Philippines vs. CGIAR, IRRI

Manila, Philippines - 26 October 2002

The Resistance and Solidarity Against Agrochemical TNCs (RESIST!) today announced the holding of an international protest in the Philippines against the Annual General Meeting of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) on October 29-30, 2002.

The international protest includes the holding of people's street conferences as counterpoint activities on October 29 at the IRRI in Los Banos, Laguna and at the Shangri-la Hotel in Makati on October 30. A funeral march of about 20 coffins will be held on October 29 from College, Laguna to the IRRI. A similar rally will be held at
the Shangri-la Hotel in Makati to greet the CGIAR with a red-carpet unwelcome.

Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP-Peasant Movement of the Philippines) Chairperson and Co-Coordinator of the International Alliance Against Agrochemical TNCs (IAAATNCs) Rafael V. Mariano stated that, "The People's Street Conference works outside the CGIAR system's framework of profit-centered research and development. Instead, this will be an alternative venue to show our initiatives through a farmer-centered systems research and practice."

Henry Saragih, Coordinator for the La Via Campesina (International Peasant Movement)-South East and East Asia meanwhile said, "The farmers of Asia and the world have united against the tightening monopoly control of the CGIAR and its agencies on the world's food and agriculture."

For her part, South East Asia Research for Community Education (SEARICE) Executive Director Neth Daño meanwhile stated that, "CGIAR and its agencies have institutionalized biopiracy. We will take part in the international struggle against the tightening control over our genetic resources."

Scientists under AGHAM lambasted the profit-centered approach to science and technology. "Research and development, particularly agricultural research must be oriented to cater to the needs of the people and the farmers." Dr. Giovanni Tapang, AGHAM president stated.

MASIPAG, an organization of farmers and scientists who have been involved in alternative farming methods echoed out the calls of farmers and scientists. Emmanuel Yap, Executive Director of Masipag added that, "Our parallel activities would show the world our alternative to the CGIAR and the IRRI as well as the effects these
institutions have on farmers and peoples around the world. ***