Civil society: M’sia must withdraw from TPPA now

TPPA threatens to remove labelling of genetically engineered food in Malaysia which can compromise national and public interest

GEORGE TOWN: A coalition of civil society groups here have called on Malaysia to withdraw from the on-going Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) immediately because it would violate rights and interests of Malaysians.

The coalition’s spokesman SM Mohamed Idris said many civil society groups believe labelling of genetically engineered (GE) foods in Malaysia was under direct threat from TPPA and this would compromise the country’s national and public interest.

He pointed out that the tabling of a fast track bill in the United States had sent an ominous signal that Washington would insist that Malaysia would forgo labelling of GE foods.

He insisted that TPPA should not have provisions to restrict Malaysia in regulating food safety or to require changes to existing and future Malaysian laws on identification and labelling of living modified organisms (LMOs) and products of such organisms, including GE food.

He stressed that the US was unlikely to compromise on the issue, which was among many serious concerns with the TPPA.

“Civil society groups do not see the benefit of Malaysia remaining in the negotiations.

“Malaysian government should withdraw now.

“GE labelling is crucial to safeguard national and public interest and should be a red line for the government,” said Idris on behalf of the coalition.

The coalition comprises Consumers Association of Penang (CAP), EcoKnights, Friends of Nature Malaysia (SAM), Third World Network and WWF-Malaysia.

Malaysia is currently involved in intense TPPA negotiations with 11 countries, which are Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, USA and Vietnam.

Fast track bill

The American’s Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities Act of 2014, as the fast track bill is formally known, was tabled on Jan 9 this year.

Fast track bill means the US Congress can only vote ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to the TPPA, it has laid out US principal trade negotiating objectives.

With respect to agriculture, the objective is to obtain opportunities for US exports of agricultural commodities in foreign markets.

It specifically points to the need to develop, strengthen, and clarify rules to eliminate practices the US deems to be unfair, and to ensure that such rules are subject to dispute settlement.

Among the practices targeted for elimination were unjustified trade restrictions or commercial requirements, such as labelling, that affect new technologies, including biotechnology.

The US is the world’s largest producer and exporter of GE crops.

It does not have laws or regulations requiring mandatory labelling of GE food.

Idris recalled that Washington had specifically asked for the labelling provision in the then Malaysian Biosafety Bill to be removed during the previous bilateral US – Malaysia free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations.

While the fast track bill was unlikely to be approved, given that many democrats and republicans in the House of Representatives were opposed to it, he said US legislators would still not want GE labelling in trade partner countries.

He said the US Congress would demand more changes to TPPA if president Barrack Obama was not granted fast track authority.

Therefore, with or without the fast track authority, he said the US intention was clearly to eliminate GE labeling to allow the unimpeded entry of US GE food exports into foreign markets.

If proposed in the TPPA and agreed to by Malaysia, he said Malaysians’ right to know on whether their foods were genetically engineered would be under serious threat.

Scientific and ‘haram’ uncertainty

Moreover, he said there was also scientific uncertainty on whether GE foods are safe to consume.

“Labelling at least provides choice to the consumers,” said Idris.

Malaysia’s Biosafety Act 2007 already requires the identification and labelling of LMOs, items containing LMOs and products of such organisms.

For GE food, this is put into operation by the Food (Amendment) Regulations 2010.

Idris said these laws would be changed if the move to eliminate GE food labelling succeeded in the TPPA negotiations.

He cited that the National Fatwa Council for Islamic Affairs Malaysia issued a fatwa in 2011 disallowing use of prohibited (haram) ingredients and those harmful to humans and environment in production of GE foods.

“For Muslim consumers therefore, the labelling of GE food would be important in providing certainty,” said Idris.


Dipetik dari - Free Malaysia Today