Bite Back: WTO Hands Off Our Food Campaign
The Bite Back: WTO Hands Off Our Food Campaign was initiated by Friends of the Earth in collaboration with a wide range of organisations. Focusing mainly on Europe, the campaign aimed to raise awareness and encourage actions to advocate against World Trade Organization (WTO) imposed regulations on genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
Communication Strategies
According to the campaign organisers, in order to force genetically modified (GM) products into global markets, a United States led coalition filed a legal dispute at the World Trade Organisation (WTO), accusing the European Union of blocking trade by restricting GM products. The Bite Back campaign was developed based on the belief that GM products take away consumer choice, make farmers dependent on big business and undermine food security in developing countries.
The Bite Back campaign encouraged concerned individuals to endorse a Citizen's Objection which was signed by more than 135, 000 citizens and 740 organisations around the world. Campaigners delivered the Citizen's Objections in December 2005 in Hong Kong. The Citizen's Objection was available for download and sending by post, or via an online form. The main demand of the Citizens Objection was that the WTO should not undermine the right of any country to protect its citizens and the environment from GM foods and crops. "We, wishing to protect our right to decide what we eat and grow, have serious and legitimate concerns about the risks of genetically modified foods and crops (GMOs) for consumers, farmers, wildlife and environments around the world." .
The Bite Back website was used during the campaign to provide updates on the campaign, and information about rulings and decisions. For example, the conclusions of the WTO dispute on genetically modified organisms was published on the website in order to allow the public to engage in the debate on the future of their food. .
The World Trade Organisation (WTO) released a provisional ruling on the GM trade dispute to the countries involved in February 2006. The US-led coalition failed to win many of their arguments against Europe. However, the WTO ruled that national GM bans are illegal and it is likely that countries with bans in place will be put under renewed pressure to lift them. The Bite Back campaign encouraged individuals to send and email to tell Ministers for Trade and Environment to stand up to the WTO and protect countries' rights to restrict GM crops and foods. An online form was provided on the website to help facilitate this.
The Bite Back campaign encouraged concerned individuals to endorse a Citizen's Objection which was signed by more than 135, 000 citizens and 740 organisations around the world. Campaigners delivered the Citizen's Objections in December 2005 in Hong Kong. The Citizen's Objection was available for download and sending by post, or via an online form. The main demand of the Citizens Objection was that the WTO should not undermine the right of any country to protect its citizens and the environment from GM foods and crops. "We, wishing to protect our right to decide what we eat and grow, have serious and legitimate concerns about the risks of genetically modified foods and crops (GMOs) for consumers, farmers, wildlife and environments around the world." .
The Bite Back website was used during the campaign to provide updates on the campaign, and information about rulings and decisions. For example, the conclusions of the WTO dispute on genetically modified organisms was published on the website in order to allow the public to engage in the debate on the future of their food. .
The World Trade Organisation (WTO) released a provisional ruling on the GM trade dispute to the countries involved in February 2006. The US-led coalition failed to win many of their arguments against Europe. However, the WTO ruled that national GM bans are illegal and it is likely that countries with bans in place will be put under renewed pressure to lift them. The Bite Back campaign encouraged individuals to send and email to tell Ministers for Trade and Environment to stand up to the WTO and protect countries' rights to restrict GM crops and foods. An online form was provided on the website to help facilitate this.
Development Issues
Food Security
Key Points
Nobody knows what risks they pose to people's health and the environment.
Partners
Friends of the Earth initiated the "Bite Back: WTO Hands Off Our Food!" campaign, together with ActionAid Alliance, Public Services International, Public Citizen, the International Gender and Trade Network, the French Confédération Paysanne, the Indian Research Foundation for Science, Technology and Ecology, Greenpeace International and is support by more than 745 other organisations.
Sources
Pambazuka News, No. 218, August 15 2005 and Bite Back website, May 10 2006.
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