Open letter warns Brits of GMO dangers

In an open letter published in The Times newspaper and promoted through a digital billboard at Waterloo station, American celebrities Susan Sarandon, Daryl Hannah and Robert Kennedy Jr joined NGOs, trade groups and businesses from the USA such as Food & Water Watch, the Sierra Club, the Rachel Carson Council, Friends of the Earth, the Organic Consumers Association, Dr Bronner’s and NYR Organic to warn British citizens of the dangers of growing GM crops and urge them to speak out before it’s too late.
 

The warning comes at a critical time as the European Parliament will vote in January whether member states can decide for themselves to grow GM crops or not. The letter, which highlights the problems and challenges which American farmers, consumers and others have faced over nearly two decades of growing and eating GM crops, was delivered to Downing Street (see picture) by a delegation which included fashion designer Vivienne Westwood, chef Val Warner and MPs, Zac Goldsmith and Michael Meacher. It also included the two campaigners from the USA who helped drive the letter, Pamm Larry and Diana Reeves, as well as Beyond GM Director, Pat Thomas, who coordinated the effort in the UK.
 

The fully referenced letter, signed by groups and individuals representing some 57 million members and supporters, argues that GM crops have never delivered on their promises to increase yields and profits or to decrease pesticide use. In fact, they have done the opposite with the cost of growing GM crops now greater than conventional crops in the US and pesticide use 24% higher amongst GM farmers than non-GM farmers planting the same crops. The the full version of the Letter from America is available here.