Precautionary principle aired

In the Health Research supplement of the European Voice (3-9 August 2006), Diana Smith, EEN Communications was given an opportunity to express a concern that calls for more research were sometimes used as an excuse for inaction.

European Voice publishes EEN letter

In its 3-9 August issue, the European Voice newspaper published the response of Génon Jensen, EEN Executive Director to an article entitled ’Could environmentalism be losing its public appeal?’ (13-19 July) and a response to it from the Agricultural Biotech Europe (20-26 July). She drew on the findings of a recent Eurobarometer to argue that environmentalism is stronger than ever. The survey had found that 63% of European citizens thought that the environment should be given priority over economic competitiveness.

Please find below the text of the letter.

Both the article ’Could environmentalism be losing its public appeal?’ (13-19 July) and the answer by Agricultural Biotech Europe (20-26 July) manifest a disturbing misunder-standing not only in the interpretation of the trends in our society but also of the real issues.

It is unfortunate that the article wanders off the main environmental problems to draw big-time conclusions on the basis of what is happening in whale-hunting and trust in non-governmental organisations on biotech issues. European citizens are far more concerned about issues such as hazardous chemicals and pesticides, air pollution and climate change - to name but a few of the key worries that have a direct impact on everyday lives. Strength of feeling on these priorities is much more indicative of society’s attitudes.

Environmentalism is stronger than ever, particularly in the face of lax policies. It is only natural that people care more about their surrounding environment, which determines their own health and that of their planet, than they do about whale-hunting. The Eurobarometer survey quoted in the article suggests that a majority may even care more about the quality of the air their children breathe and the water and food they consume than they do about growth and prosperity.

The survey found 63% of European citizens thought that the environment should be given priority over economic competitiveness.

The biotech industry letter does not respond to the article but is simply an opportunist attack on whoever threatens company profits. The truth is that, scientific consensus or not, the majority of Europeans do not want to eat GMs.

Génon Jensen EPHA Environment Network Brussels