Greenpeace Germany tests GE maize

Our activists in Germany have started a month-long GE testing blitz in Magdeburg today to uncover secret GE maize fields across Germany.

Our new tests will be beneficial to local farmers and beekeepers who fear that neighbouring GE fields will contaminate their harvest or honey. Once they know the exact location of the GE crops, they can avoid the pollen and exposing their crops to being inadvertently mixed with GE crops.

"The secret locations for GE crops in Germany must be stopped," said Henning Strodthoff, our GE campaigner in Germany. "We need transparency for farmers, beekeepers and consumers, in order to protect GE-free agriculture."

A single leaf from a maize plant is enough to test for GMOs. Concerned farmers or beekeepers can deliver the maize samples to the Magdeburger Greenpeace office. Once all the tests have been concluded and the information collated we will inform the state authorities, the federation and of course the public about the location of the secret GE maize fields.

The Federal State Government of Saxony-Anhalt has refused further disclosure of the location of the GE maize against against European guidelines (2001/18), which demand that there is a public register for the location of GE crops.

Around 1.5 million hectares of maize grown is in Germany. The 300 hectares of GE maize now grown extends to 0.2 parts per thousand of the total area of maize grown. However, for farmers, who want to grow GE free, this is extremely disconcerting as the GE pollen can contaminate the GE free crops.

Get Involved!

- Call our German Hotline (040-3899 8080) to voice your opinion against GE feed used in the production of milk. Consumers can also protest on line at www.muell-milch.de

- Find out about more German actions.

- Want to 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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