Pangasinan, Bukidnon farmers in favor of genetically modified eggplant go to SC

Farmers from Pangasinan and Bukidnon are prodding the Supreme Court to overturn a Court of Appeals ruling that stopped the government from doing field testing of genetically modified, pest-resistant Bacillus thuringiensis or Bt talong – genetically modified eggplant.

In a 16-page motion to be treated as a party to the case, a group of 11 farmers said the May 2013 CA ruling violated their "right to property entitling them to protection of their means of livelihood."

David Casimero, one of the farmers from Sta. Maria, Pangasinan said they were supporting Bt eggplant farming as "a cost-effective and safe solution" to their dilemma with the eggplant fruit and shoot borer, which he said was "the most pervasive and destructive pest of eggplants."

The farmers claimed to have already witnessed how genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have benefited their farming communities, and cited they have already shifted from conventional corn to "Bt corn."

Almost 40 percent of locally harvested eggplants are rejected by the market due to damage caused by shoot borers, they claimed/

"Indeed there is no valid justification to maintain the naturalistic fallacy espoused in the assailed CA decision and assailed CA resolution...” the petition read.

“Apart from completely ignoring the challenges to sustainable food supply, these issuances spell the death for technology and innovation in agriculture, and essentially, for human civilization which is largely dependent on sustainable food source to flourish," it added.

"Apart from the benefits that will accrue to farmers, i.e. higher crop yield and lower cost of inputs which translate to higher profits, Bt technology will address the need for an even larger food supply for human consumption and thus contribute towards food security," the farmers noted.

They claimed they were already carrying the burden of higher costs of farm inputs and stiff competition from cheaper, subsidized eggplant from China.

Precautionary measure

In its ruling, the CA Special 13th Division issued a "writ of kalikasan" to stop the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and other concerned government agencies from doing Bt trials.

As a "precautionary" measure, the field testings should be stopped in the absence of "full scientific certainty" that they are safe to humans and the environment.

“It is clear that there is no full scientific certainty yet as to the effects of the Bt talong field trials to the environment and the health of the people,” the appellate court noted.

“[F]ield trials of Bt talong could not be declared by this Court as safe to human health and to our ecology, with full scientific certainty, it being an alteration of an otherwise natural state of affairs in our ecology.”

The court said as long as "scientifically plausible" field testings remain "scientifically uncertain," actions should be taken to avoid and diminish the possible threats and damage to environment they may cause.

The CA was merely upholding a September 2013 ruling after denying a motion for reconsideration by the respondents.

A group of scientists, farmers, and other concerned individuals earlier asked the Supreme Court to stop the government from introducing genetically engineered eggplants to Philippine soil, citing health and environmental hazards.

Basically, they wanted the CA to keep the Writ of Kalikasan and the order stopping the government from doing the field tests enforced.

Since 2010, the government has been doing field tests in Pangasinan, Camarines Sur, Davao City, Laguna, and North Cotabato.

The petitioners said the proponents of Bt talong not only failed to secure the necessary environmental compliance certificate, but they did not consult the respective local government units, non-government organizations and other sectors.

"Bt talong is a classic environmental case where scientific evidence as to the health and environmental safety and socio-economic impact is insufficient, inconclusive or uncertain," the petitioners noted.

The Supreme Court eventually issued a writ of kalikasan on May 2, 2012 and remanded the petition to the Court of Appeals for hearings on the scientific and factual questions involved. – VS, GMA News