Global Farmers Share Agribiotech Experience with European Leaders

Farmers from all over the world have experienced the benefits of agricultural biotechnology products including better food security and higher income. Most of them are attributing this development to their political leaders that allowed them to use such products in their fields. However, some of them are wondering why Europe, which has been technologically advanced in other areas are lagging behind in terms of agriculture. Six farmers from Brazil, Gurkina Faso, China, the Philippines, and Uganda are currently participating in a series of meetings and activities in Brussels, London, and Paris to share their experiences on the technology with European leaders.

Last 26 October 2010, the farmers attended the event titled Sustainable Solutions for Food Security in Brussels, which was also participated in by international experts including Roberto Ridolfi of the European Commission, Mayra Moro-Coco of Action Aid, and Prof. Justus Wesseler of Wageningen University. Rosalie Ellasus, the Filipino farmer shared her experience: "I'm surprised that European farmers can't take advantage of GM crops. The safety and benefits of this technology have been proven, and we need as many solutions as possible to help feed a growing population and improve farmers' economic situations. Since I began farming GM maize in 2003, I've had higher yields, fewer pests and greater profits – I wonder when European farmers will experience these same benefits. As a widow raising three boys, I was able to leave behind my career as a medical technologist and pursue my dream – becoming a successful small farmer."

Read the press release at http://www.europabio.org/PressReleases/green/Global_farmers_benefit_from_GM_crops.pdf.