Workers Online
Workers Online
Workers Online
  Issue No 22 Official Organ of LaborNet 16 July 1999  

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Environment

It's In The Genes

By Lee Rhannon - NSW MLC

Did you eat genetically modified food today? Add your voice to label all gene tech foods campaign.

Genetically engineered foods are being fast tracked into Australia by a handful of multinationals that are set to control the bulk of the world's food trade. This rush to maximise profits from the food we eat has led to companies involved flouting attempts by Australian and New Zealand Health Ministers to regulate genetically engineered foodstuffs.

Last year health ministers set May 13 this year as the date by which the standards they had set were to come into practice. But the companies involved failed to comply with this deadline. In an extraordinary move that could have long term implications for the well-being of all Australians the health ministers betrayed the public's trust and allowed genetic engineering companies to flood the market with mutant foods. 20 engineered varieties of six food crops - soybeans, corn, canola, cottonseed, potatoes and sugarbeet - onto our tables and into our mouths.

As these food products have been introduced without testing the impact on people's health groups, such as The Greens, have stepped up their campaign to alert people of the potential dangers of these food products. The immediate demand is for all genetically modified food to be labeled.

Health ministers will meet on August 5 to decide on this issue. (See below for details of how to register your protest.)

Regulations and monitoring systems should have been in place before any modified foods were introduced. Risks to human health and the environment are so large and uncertain that insurance companies will not insure the industry.

Consumers of genetically engineered food products are also expected to be exposed to high levels of chemical residues, as herbicide tolerant crops are drenched with chemicals to kill weeds.

The modification of food products is linked with moves by some of the biggest multinationals, such as Exxon, ICI, Monsanto and Heinz to buy out seed companies in order to gain control of seed stocks that would compete with the new engineered varieties.

Act now to protect our health and limit the domination of agribusinesses. Write to NSW Minister for Health, Mr Craig Knowles, and the Federal Minister for Health, Mr Michael Wooldridge, and call for the labeling of all genetically modified food products and the establishment of a biosafety protocol to control the global transfer of genetically engineered organisms.


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*   Issue 22 contents

In this issue
Features
*  Interview: You�ve Got To Be Kidding!
British legal academic Dr Keith Ewing can�t believe we�re still debating whether workers� entitlements should be protected.
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*  Unions: The Shaw Plan
Jeff Shaw unveils his national plan to protect workers entitlements.
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*  History: The Case of the Packer Lift
An industrial history of Australian Consolidated Press looks into the media empire.
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*  International: Crisis in Ecuador
An urgent appeal for solidarity with the popular uprising in Ecuador.
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*  Environment: It's In The Genes
Did you eat genetically modified food today? Add your voice to label all gene tech foods campaign.
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*  Review: Around the Grounds
Labor Council's Don Machiatto goes in search of the perfect cup of coffee.
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*  Labour Review: What's New at the Information Centre
Read the latest issue of Labour Review, a resource for trade union officials.
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*  Satire: Darth Reith's Workplace Relations (Phantom Menace) Bill
Workers have been positively thrilled by the prospect of less pay, no sick leave.
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News
»  Workers' Rights Butchered
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»  Unions Back Shaw Plan
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»  Buddy�s Buddy Still Singing Blues
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»  Labour Calls Labor to Account
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»  Olympic Gear - Labor Standards Should Apply
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»  Ship of Shame into Darling Harbour
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»  Cardboard King Seeks Warehouse Showdown
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»  Nurses Enter New Years Fray
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»  University Under Fire For Union-Busting Tactics
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»  Inquiry to Lift the Lid on Public Service Bargaining
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»  Currawong Back on Agenda
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»  APHEDA Seeks Campaign and Marketting Officer
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Columns
»  Guest Report
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»  Sport
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»  Trades Hall
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»  Piers Watch
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Letters to the editor
»  Youth Wages Campaign a Must for the Union Movement
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»  Cheers for Piers
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»  Cheers from Geneva
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