Bunge visited by 'Biosafety Inspectors'

Bunge was the centre of attention again today as 25 Greenpeace activists inspected a soya processing plant in Passo Fundo, in the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul. We are concerned with that the soya being processed is contaminated as Passo Fundo is located in the centre of GE plantations in Brazil.

The facility produces the popular soya oil brands 'Primor' and 'Soya' is surrounded by GE soya fields. As such we have requested documentation and samples of the soya to assertain whether the beans and the oils comply with national legislations, specifically labelling rules.

Our 'Biosafety Inspectors' have also demanded that a list of items produced in the plant to be properly labelled as required by the national legislation.

"The lack of identification on the crops in this plant implies that there can be no traceability on the final product. Consumers have the right to know what they are eating and consuming," said Mariana Paoli, our GE campaigner in Brazil. "Bunge guarantees GE free animal feed for animals in Germany, needs to respect the right to know and listen to the Brazilian consumers who have said no to GMOs and provide GE free products in Brazil."

Last year independent analysis commissioned by Greenpeace found that animal feed sold by Bunge was GE contaminated but was not labelled as such.

Brazilian legislation is clear concerning its labelling rules; nevertheless this legislation is neither respected by companies nor guaranteed by the government. According to national legislation labelling and traceability are essential in order to guarantee the consumers' right to know which would enable them to reject GE food in Brazil and meet its international obligations.

"Consumers demand for non-GE is getting stronger in Brazil every day," concluded Paoli. "The farmers that choose the GE option are taking part in a risky business, not only because of the market rejection but also because of the false promises of Monsanto regarding this technology."

Find Out More:

- Read out article about Bunge and other GE soya importers being targeted in Italy

- Read about our victory in Paranagua

- Check out our animation GE Soya Cycle Exposed

-Read our story: Global Winds has wind taken out of its sails

- Read our in-depth document about Soya

- Read our in-depth document: Hanging in the Balance: GE Battle in Brazil

- Find out about the Galateia sailing GE Free

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