Porto Alegre, March 12, 2004 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - The International People's Court on Transgenics reached a unanimous decision, yesterday (11), that there is insufficient information on genetically modified organisms for them to be authorized in the country. The defendants, Monsanto of Brazil and the Agricultural Federation of the State of Rio Grande do Sul (Farsul) were also unanimously convicted for the illegal introduction and dissemination of genetically modified seeds in Brazil, placing the health of the population at risk.

Despite their absence, the multinational corporation and the group that represents the Rio Grande do Sul agricultural sector received the moral condemnation of society at the Court, which attracted thousands of social movement activitists from various cities around the state, as well as representatives of entities, non-governmental organizations, and institutions, who accompanied the session presided by the judge of the 4th Regional Labor Court, José Felipe Ledur. Federal solicitor Aurélio Virgílio Veiga Rios acted as prosecutor.

During the trial, research reports on modified seeds were presented, detailing the potential risks to human health and the environment, as well as the harm caused by the use of transgenics.

Monsanto of Brazil and the Farsul, which had already refused to receive the indictments sent by the Court, did not appear at the hearing, claiming that they had been condemned beforehand, since the organizers of the event and their guests are opposed to transgenics.

Maria Rita Reis, an attorney who is one of the coordinators of the Court, informed that the transcript of the trial will be delivered to the proper authorities, so that steps are taken. (DAS)