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The German association of producers, processors and distributors of organic foods BOLW in Berlin has presented a report which shows that the additional costs arising from the application of gene technology in agriculture has not resulted in increased profitability. These extra costs, which stem from various factors such as the high prices of seeds, growing higher and the investments necessary to carry out the separation of crops contaminated with genetic varieties that are not permissible and amount to several billion dollars, have no economic justification. The alleged benefits of genetically modified crop varieties are overridden by these expenses. The only benefit from the cultivation of genetically modified varieties are a handful of multinational corporations, particularly Monsanto, whose patents will ensure high profits. Felix Prinz zu

Löwenstein, president of BOLW, takes stock: "The benefits of genetic engineering applied to agriculture does not affect either the farmer or the consumer, but only to the multinationals that sell. Is beyond any logic that the law protects these companies before the great responsibility of this type of activity. It is not clear why the new varieties of genetically modified organisms are not subjected to strict analysis to ascertain the environmental damage and economic consequences involved. We need a system that requires an absolute responsibility, and to reform the procedure gives the permits in the EU. The Federal Minister of Economics Ilse Aigner to stop growing and to oppose the intention of the European Commission to allow more genetic varieties of corn. " Christoph Then, who has worked as an independent critic and expert in the study, said: "In total, the costs of pollution damage by unauthorized genetically modified varieties, as well as the subsequent separation of the production, amounting to several billion U.S. dollars. Several studies on the economic viability of this type of cultivation showed that farmers get only recoup the large investments in exceptional circumstances and for very specific conditions. Besides, "he continues," gene technology enormously expensive seeds, where prices are much more expensive so fast that traditional crops, it is found without an increase in performance. " Stefan Rother, Frost AG (in the field of gene technology) and chairman of the association of producers of organic foods, he added: "Our customers demand natural products that have not been genetically modified and we as a company, and we must meet this demand . The regulatory framework in the field of gene technology is inadequate and this leads to medium sized businesses bear the risks and costs involved in the application of gene technology, although they are against it. "