January 23, 2006
Today in Granada, at the United Nations meeting of Article 8j, the Minister of the Environment in Spain welcomed delegates and stressed in her opening statement that, "Precaution, prevention, social justice and participation need to be at the heart of the work of this meeting". The Minister singled out Terminator (Genetic Use Restriction Technologies) saying, "No technological advance can interfere with the cultural diversity… (We must) take into account the data that already exists about the issue of genetic use (restriction) technology in order to establish those limits and those conditions needed to prevent the technology from having a negative environment and social effects. I am sure that the final statement of the Granada meeting will have into account all the work done in this matter and we will be able to send a clear message to the COP 8 in Curitiba next March."
"… Ningun avance (cientifico) puede ser incompatible con el desarrollo de la diversidad cultural…(debemos) tener en cuenta los avances que ya existen en relacion con la tecnologia de (restricción) del uso genetico para establecer aquellas restricciones y aquellas condiciones que eviten que dicha tecnologia signifique efectos perversos en terminos ambientales y en terminos sociales a escala planetaria. Yo estoy segura que la declaracion que surja de Granada tendra en cuenta todo lo que se ha trabajado en esta materia y mandara un mensaje nitido a la COP en Curitiba el proximo marzo."
Excerpt from the International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity, Opening Statement, Jan 24
Indigenous peoples have clearly stated that GURTs is a dangerous technology that threatens biodiversity, Indigenous knowledge systems, small-holder farmers and global food security, as reflected in the Secretariat’s report UNEP/CBD/WG8j/4/9. Any introduction of GURTs in our territories would pose a direct threat to our welfare, food sovereignty, and constitute a violation of our human right of self-determination.
We strongly urge the parties to recognize the wide range of potential negative impacts of GURTs on Indigenous peoples and local communities, and smallholder farmers and ensure a lasting ban on field and commercial use of GURTs and granting intellectual property rights on GURTs.