Second Greece-bound shipment targeted

Our Greek activists were back in action this morning this time in Preveza where they have halted yet another shipment of 18,000 tons of GE soyameal from Argentina this time on the ship 'UBC Beaumont'.

The team includes swimmers, canoeists and climbers from Greece, Hungary, Germany, Netherlands and Australia. The three swimmers have put themselves in front of the ship with floating signs saying 'No entry to GMOs' and four climbers have boarded the ship with banners reading 'No to the imports of GE' (in Greek) and 'Don't buy GE Food'.

The 'UBC Beaumont' is expected to offload its cargo of soyameal directly into trucks from where it could be delivered directly to the feed industry without any opportunity for investigation by the national government authorities. Our activists have so far stopped this from happening.

"Greek consumers do not want GMOs. Surveys over many years now have shown 90 percent and more of the Greek population reject GMOs. This is supported by the fact that now 48 prefectures out of 54 have been declared as GE Free zones. There is no market for GMOs in Greece!" declared Myrto Pispini our GE campaigner in Greece.

Our aim is also highlighting the fact that millions of tons of these GE imports are being dumped into animal feed unbeknown to consumers which means that they are not given the freedom of choice. Meat and dairy products coming from animals fed on GE feed still do not require to be labelled.

"Our aim is to prevent the growing of GMOs because of the dangers they present to the environment now and for future generations. We also aim to prevent GMO contamination of the food supply because it is basically an experiment with public health using a crude, potentially dangerous, outdated, unnecessary and unwanted technology. We would frankly rather see these GE imports banned, but until they are, we certainly are insisting that the current legislation be rigorously applied," said Lindsay Keenan our international GE campaigner.

Following the previous action on Saturday 22 May, an investigation by the Greek Ministry of Agriculture concluded that the shipment on board 'Flag Tom' targeted by Greenpeace can not at present be imported because its documentation is not in accordance with the new EU legislation on GMO labelling and traceability.

Find Out More:

- Read about saturday's action

- Find our more about the EU Labelling Legislation

- Check out our animation GE Soya Cycle Exposed

-Read our in-depth document about Soya

- Get involved in our Trolley Watch: Click here to see how you can help.

- Check out what is happening in your country

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