Malaysian farmers, environmental groups call for rejection of GMO rice trial
The 61-group coalition says the trial could contaminate rice crops and raise glyphosate use, while Malaysia’s board weighs the application.
- On Tuesday, a coalition of 61 organizations submitted a formal objection urging Malaysia's National Biosafety Board to reject a proposed confined field trial of genetically modified MR219 rice in Perak.
- Farmers fear genetic modification could encourage glyphosate use, accelerating the development of herbicide-resistant "super weeds" and risking contamination through cross-pollination with conventional crops.
- The World Health Organization classified glyphosate as "probably carcinogenic to humans," while the Environmental Protection Agency and European Food Safety Authority said it is "not likely to be carcinogenic to humans."
- While the National Biosafety Board defended the trial as contained within an insect-proof net house on industrial land, the coalition argued Malaysia's current biosafety law lacks sufficient compensation mechanisms for farmers.
- Mageswari Sangaralingam of the Consumers Association of Penang noted farmers have alternatives like robotic weeding technology from Japan, though no final board decision date has been announced.
17 Articles
17 Articles
Worried govt producing GMO rice? Agriculture Ministry says Perak run is only a controlled test
SERDANG, Aug 12 — The proposed genetically modified rice field trial in Perak involving the MR219 variety is only a controlled test plot and does not constitute approval for the use of genetically modified organism (GMO) crops in Malaysia, said Agriculture and Food Security Ministry (KPKM) secretary-general Datuk Seri Isham Ishak.He said the trial was intended to generate scientific evidence and data on GMO, particularly its potential role in ad…
Associated Press News
Malaysian farmers, environmental groups call for rejection of GMO rice trial
A coalition of farmers, consumer associations and environmental groups is urging Malaysia’s National Biosafety Board to reject a proposed field trial of genetically modified rice.
A coalition of farmers, consumer associations and environmental groups urged the Malaysian authorities to reject a proposal to test genetically modified rice, warning that the project could pose risks to food security, the environment and farmers.
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