The biotechnology company Monsanto yesterday rejected claims by Greenpeace that it conducted an uncontrolled field test of genetically-modified potatoes in the former USSR state of Georgia.
Greenpeace published the findings of a report in Moscow which alleged that Monsanto used the lack of legislation in Georgia to test "transgenic" potatoes without informing local farmers of the consequences for their traditional farming methods.
Dr Patrick O'Reilly, Monsanto's chief executive, said yesterday the company did not normally respond to Greenpeace claims about its practices but it was making an exception on this occasion. Dr O'Reilly claimed that the timing of the release of the Greenpeace report was designed to influence the outcome of United Nations negotiations on a Biosafety Protocol, currently under way in Montreal.
Greenpeace's Russian campaign director, Mr Ivan Blokov, said Monsanto took advantage of the absence of legislation in Georgia to carry out tests which would be impossible in countries such as the United States. "As a result," Mr Blokov added, "organic farmers in Georgia could lose their best pest control tool and their organic status". Greenpeace said the Monsanto potatoes proved to be a financial disaster for the farmers and many fell into debt.
In a statement, Monsanto said yesterday the Greenpeace report was based on misunderstandings - "to be charitable" - which led to inevitably false conclusions. "It is our duty to set the record straight," Monsanto said.
The Republic of Georgia invited the company to advise on agricultural technology, Monsanto said. Potato yields were falling and the international community had provided $250 billion in food aid since independence. Monsanto said Georgian farmers were losing up to 40 per cent of their potato crop to the Colorado beetle.
It introduced a genetically-engineered potato, the NewLeaf, first approved in the US in 1995. The new seed improved yields by 100 per cent, Monsanto said.