Sailing GE FREE
Greenpeace activists 'waved goodbye' to the Galateia ship from Paranagua port in Brazil yesterday. The bulk carrier left carrying 60,900 tons of GE free soya to Asia.
The State of Paraná, the second biggest producer of soya in Brazil has adopted a law that forbids the commercial growth of GE soya, and the transportation or shipment of GE soya throughout in the state.
"A genetically engineered world is a threat for our autonomy and sovereignty regarding the family and traditional agriculture," said Marcos Rochiski , Coordinator of Family Farmers Federation in the South- Fetrafi Sul.
Public attitude in Brazil is strongly against GE crops, a recent poll shows that 92 percent of the public wants mandatory labelling, 74 percent prefer not to eat GE food, 73 percent are against the widespread production of GE food crops until uncertainty about the risks are clarified.
Kishi, our Brazilian webeditor was at the send off today:
Galateia is a ship from Nassau (Bahamas) that left Paranagua Port today, fully of non-GE soya. It's going to Asia. No doubt, it's an example to be followed. And, of course, we should give prestige to that, encourage other people do the same.
We left the Arctic Sunrise and met Galateia just a few minutes after the shipment loading was completed. The port's master, Eduardo Requiao, who was visiting our ship and participated in our press conference, joined us. He has fought so hard to keep the port free of GMOs, but has been under great pressure and badly criticized. With T-shits of the campaign and banners with the message "Mundo melhor sem transgênicos" ("World better without GMOs"), we went to cheer the crew.
The crew of Galateia welcomed us very well and allowed one of our activists to board and put up one of the banners. They also helped him to attached it to the grid of the ship. After that, of course, they sat for the photos... So nice!
Actions like today's are essential for the campaign as well as the hard actions. Criticizing and denouncing are not enough, we have to support the good initiatives, the right attitudes, not only to stimulate those who do them, but also to encourage other people to do the same.
--Kishi
