Six animal raisers associations in Negros Occidental have issued a joint manifesto expressing support to the lifting of the province’s 18-year-old ban on the entry of genetically-modified organisms (GMOs), particularly Bt corn, through a regulatory ordinance now being deliberated by the Provincial Board.
The groups, which released the manifesto through the provincial government on Tuesday night, September 16, included the Negros Occidental Hog Raisers Association, Negros Occidental Layers Association, Association of Broiler Integrators of Negros Occidental, Alliance of Hog Raisers Association of Negros Occidental, United Cattle Raisers Association in Negros, and Negros Occidental Swine Inseminators.
“As among the key players of this industry in the province, we are happy to know about this initiative by the provincial government which we believe is of great help to address our lingering problem on availability and affordability of yellow corn locally,” they said.
They pointed out that the “existing prohibition on the planting and production of genetically-modified corn in the province” compels them to “source corn supply from outside Negros Occidental at a much higher cost.”
Corn plays a vital role as a major component of animal feeds, comprising about 70 percent of their cost of operation, they added.
“This situation has significantly increased our cost of production, reduced our competitiveness, and constrained the growth of our industry,” the animal raisers said.
The animal raisers associations issued the manifesto of support after the Provincial Board committees on agriculture and environment conducted a public hearing on the proposed ordinance regulating the entry of GMOs in Negros Occidental.
The move seeks to reverse Provincial Ordinance No. 7, prohibiting the entry, importation, introduction, planting, growing, selling, and trading of GMO plants and animals in Negros Occidental passed in 2007.
The ordinance passed on first and second reading on August 26.
“The proposed ordinance offers a balanced and practical solution to animal production and business viability challenges,” the groups said.
“The province’s organic food bowl identity can still be maintained by regulating the introduction, planting and cultivation of GMO or Bt corn within the province exclusively for animal feed purposes,” they added.
The GMO-Free Negros Coalition, composed of farmers, organic agriculture advocates, church leaders, scientists, consumers, and members of the academe, indigenous people’s organizations, civil society groups, and communities, and like-minded individuals, have opposed the passage of the GMO regulatory ordinance as they called for the continued ban of GMOs in Negros Occidental. (PNA)