Greenpeace says U.S. shipping GM maize to Russia
Date: 17-Sep-99
Country: AUSTRIA
Greenpeace said samples from an early August shipment of maize from the
U.S. to Russia obtained by the group and analysed by the Federal
Environment Agency of Austria was shown to contain GM maize. It said the
Panamanian bulk carrier Blue Zenith, 45,782 dwt, arrived at St
Petersburg harbour on August 16 carrying 42,000 tonnes of US maize.
In July, the Russian government issued a law that requires permits based
on ecological assessment before genetically engineered material can be
imported into the country.
Greenpeace said this highlighted the need for stringent international
rules on genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
Vienna is hosting United Nations-sponsored Biosafety Protocol
negotiations from September 15-19 to draft an internationally binding
agreement on the trade, handling and transportation of GMOs.
An earlier round of negotiations in Cartagena, Columbia, in February
broke down after delegates failed to reach a solution.
