On Tuesday 4th October, just 5 days before the Polish general election, an alliance of anti GMO activists headed for the Ministry of Agriculture to expose the double standards being exhibited by Polish government Ministers. Both the Agricultural Minister (Sawicki) and the Environmental Minister (Kraszewski) have been claiming that they are calling for an EU wide ban of GM crop planting – but are do nothing to legislate for a secure ban in Poland.

GM activists were joined by street artists and drummers from Western Poland who mounted a spectacular symbolic drama.|
See great video 
and photos http://www.stopgmo.pl/

While the TV cameras rolled, a red cloaked giant 4 metre tall 'devil' approached two clones wearing the masks of the smiling Agriculture and Environment Ministers and proceeded to take them in its arms, guiding them down the steps of the Agricultural Ministry. In the background, slogans on placards held by participants denounced GMOs, corporate backed ministerial inaction and political double speak. At one point Samba music rang out and the swaying devil circled the plaza a with his two captives dutifully in step. 

ICPPC and the Coalition for a GMO Free Poland joined forces in bringing this spectacle to the public's attention; emphasising the political game being played with the electorate by current government Ministers determined to hold onto their jobs. Both Ministers have tried to capitalise on the President's rejection of the “Seeds Act” in July by claiming to be calling for an EU wide GM ban. However they are ignoring their own Poland, which sits in limbo. No clear position has been taken to enforce an earlier ban on the import and planting of GM crops taken when the main opposition government was in power in 2006.

So the political impasse is played-out with the usual deception and double dealing that we now come to recognise as a viral global disease. However people are gradually waking up. Here in Poland it is reported that 60% of citizens do not believe that either of the front running political parties will do anything useful if elected (or re-elected) in the forthcoming election. 

Many more are aware of the GMO threat than were 12 months ago. Close to 50,000 have signed petitions calling for a GMO Free Poland in a very short time. If you can donate to our campaign please see http://icppc.pl/pl/gmo/eng_index.php?id=eng_donate

With best wishes,

Julian and Jadwiga

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