Greeny News

Sir Bob Geldof, Kofi Annan, Lord Patten and EuropaBio have shown an interest in the extension program

The largest and most influential group in the European biotechnology industry, whose members include Monsanto, Bayer and other companies, GM is hiring large "ambassadors" to pressure European leaders on GM policy.

leaked documents from a public relations firm based in Brussels working for EuropaBio claim that he had "interest" of Sir Bob Geldof, the rector of the University of Oxford and chairman of the BBC Trust, Lord Patten, former European Commissioner and Irish Attorney General, David Byrne, and "potentially" the participation of the former United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan, and pro-GM science writer Mark Lynas.

The ambassadors will not be paid directly, but pressure groups have offered to write research papers and place of their names, interviews and discussions with the Financial Times and other international media and safe for what could be lucrative changes in major conferences.

addition, EuropaBio said he will introduce the highest European level bureaucrats and MEPs so they can do in the case of GM in the institutions of the EU.

Several persons named in the documents denied any knowledge of EuropaBio. A spokesman said Mr. Annan, "Mr. Annan is an ambassador for EuropaBio and has no intention to promote the use of genetically modified organisms."

Geldof told the Guardian: "I have no recollection of having heard of EuropaBio and have no memory of ever being asked to be an ambassador for GM, with the usual caveats and known, takes place A. For example in the fight against hunger. The trick is to ensure that this technological advance is not only a business opportunity, but a man for the benefit of the world's rapidly increasing population. "

A spokeswoman for Oxford University said: "Lord Patten was approached about the outreach program EuropaBio absolutely clear that, given his position as chairman of the BBC Trust , who had nothing to do with .. it would have been totally inadequate. "

In a briefing paper sent to potential ambassadors, Christopher Flores, a senior consultant working as a council in Brussels, says EuropaBio wants to distance himself from the ambassadors to give credibility to the arguments of the industry. "The most important factor in terms of the legitimacy and impact of this program is the quality of ambassadors and the amplitude of the positions shown and the number of persons concerned whenever a strong enough group of ambassadors is set -. We are very confident that will happen - then it will be very difficult for anyone to claim that these ambassadors are somehow in the pocket "business science of agriculture"
The document also attempts to convince the ambassadors that his position is widely shared. "The industry, the scientific community and NGOs are already playing an important role in making the case for GMO. For example, the Bill and Melinda Gates have been supporting and defending the use of GM crops and recently presented six reasons why those who do. However, it remains to be done in the context of education and communication, and if significant progress is made in a timely manner in relation to GM crops. "