Peasant group Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP), on Monday, April 4, urged the government to revoke the biosafety permits granted to Golden Rice.
“Today is the 62nd year anniversary of the (IRRI) in the Philippines. IRRI is among the main pushers of Golden Rice and Green Revolution technologies, the culprit behind the erosion of farmers’ genetic diversity and knowledge and a staunch ally of corporations in pursuit of full control of seeds and agriculture,” said KMP Chairperson Danilo Ramos.
In a press statement, the peasant group claimed that IRRI’s Green Revolution “fostered the destruction of diversity” in farmers’ fields and “plunged” Filipino farmers into heavy debts.
“Farmers are still suffering from the long-term damaging effects of IRRI’s Green Revolution and Marcos’ Masagana 99. We cannot allow another experimentation the Golden Rice to further undermine our food security and local agriculture,” said former Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Secretary and Chairperson of Anakpawis Partylist Rafael Mariano.
Moreover, while the farmers and food security advocates denounce the biosafety permits granted to Golden Rice, they reiterated that they support the Rice Industry Act and the Genuine Agrarian reform bill.
These, according to KMP, could “genuinely develop” the local rice industry and “ensure food security” in the Philippines.