discussion

Leaders from the Global South protest against WWF International in Geneva

Fri, 4 Dec 2009 16:58:39 +0100

In front of the international head quarters of WWF (World Wildlife Fund) in Gland Geneva, participants of the Social and Climate Justice Caravan made their first protest action. Delegates from farming organisations, indigenous and fisher folk from the South denounced the greenwashing carried out by WWF in their respective countries.

(.....)

Javiera Rulli of Argentina, denounced the round table for Responsible Soya (RTRS) led by the WWF for being a platform for industry and the biggest polluters. Rulli denounced the rticipation of the worst and most criminal agrobusiness corporations, such as Monsanto, Syngenta, Cargill, ADM and Bunge. She also reprimanded the WWF for promoting carbon credits for the cultivation of soya.

See http://www.climateimc.org/es/node/6400

Protests followed by WWF press release

Wed, 20 May 2009 23:54:25 +0200

As a result of the ongoing protests WWF has released a new statement. They don’t want to leave the RTRS, but plead for a division of GM and non-GM soy. To be realized at some point within the RTRS and if that proves to be not possible, next to the RTRS. But to keep up the discussion with producers and industry they still intend to agree on ‘responsible’ GM toxic soy.

http://www.panda.org/what_we_do/how_we_work/conservation/forests/news/?156602/Involvement-in-the-RTRS-GM-Soy-Industry

Strong protest letter to WWF Germany

Wed, 6 May 2009 02:16:59 +0200

Some 20 organisations have sent a strong open letter to WWF Germany, asking them to withdraw from the RTRS.

http://www.bluehende-landschaft.de/nbl/nbl.news/news.nbl.6/index.html

Reaction to WWF

Fri, 17 Apr 2009 01:00:35 +0200

In fact, the WWF statement that Miss Roscher refers to, is 100% self-contradictory:

"WWF’s position on GM organisms includes: A moratorium on use or release of GMOs into the general environment until ecological interactions are fully researched and safeguards put in place"

This implies a moratorium on GM soy. However, WWF continues to say: "WWF believes that the RTRS cannot be effective <...>, unless it applies both to GM soy and GM-free soy. As stated clearly on its website, the RTRS process is inclusive of all soy production methods, including conventional, GMO, organic, etc."

Therefore, WWF accepts GM soy; and not only that, it will certify GM soy as 'responsible' to consumers! We wonder if WWF is as confused as we are.

A summary of the discussion between GM Watch and WWF can be found on: http://tinyurl.com/cbmxkc

Reaction WWF to email petition

Thu, 16 Apr 2009 00:53:32 +0200

Dear sender,

Thank you for your letter. Please see WWF's statement at
http://www.panda.org/what_we_do/policy/news/?156602
on this issue.

Kind regards,
/Bella Roscher, WWF Switzerland
(involved in the early stages of RTRS)