Bacolod city: Six animal raisers associations in Negros Occidental have issued a joint manifesto expressing support for lifting the province’s 18-year-old ban on the entry of genetically-modified organisms (GMOs), particularly Bt corn, through a regulatory ordinance currently being deliberated by the Provincial Board. The associations, including the Negros Occidental Hog Raisers Association, Negros Occidental Layers Association, Association of Broiler Integrators of Negros Occidental, Alliance of Hog Raisers Association of Negros Occidental, United Cattle Raisers Association in Negros, and Negros Occidental Swine Inseminators, released the manifesto through the provincial government on Tuesday night.
According to Philippines News Agency, the groups expressed enthusiasm for the provincial government’s initiative, believing it would significantly address the ongoing issues of yellow corn availability and affordability locally. They highlighted the challenges posed by the existing prohibition on planting and producing genetically-modified corn in the province, which forces them to procure corn supply from outside Negros Occidental at much higher costs. Corn is a crucial component of animal feeds, comprising about 70 percent of operational costs for these associations.
The manifesto, issued after the Provincial Board committees on agriculture and environment conducted a public hearing on the proposed ordinance, indicates the animal raisers’ belief that lifting the ban would lower production costs, improve competitiveness, and support industry growth. The proposed ordinance aims to reverse Provincial Ordinance No. 07, which has prohibited the entry, importation, introduction, planting, growing, selling, and trading of GMO plants and animals in Negros Occidental since 2007. The ordinance passed its first and second readings on August 26.
The animal raisers assert that the proposed ordinance provides a balanced solution to both animal production challenges and business viability concerns. They argue that the province’s identity as an organic food hub can still be maintained by regulating the introduction and cultivation of GMO or Bt corn exclusively for animal feed purposes within the province.
However, the GMO-Free Negros Coalition, comprising farmers, organic agriculture advocates, church leaders, scientists, consumers, members of the academe, indigenous people’s organizations, civil society groups, and other community members, opposes the passage of the GMO regulatory ordinance. The coalition calls for the continued ban of GMOs in Negros Occidental.
