CA halts release of modified rice, eggplant

In a 143-page decision, the CA Fourth Division granted a writ of kalikasan in favor of the petitioner groups, ordered the UPLB to cease and desist from conducting activities related to the Bt Eggplant, and directed the PRRI to stop activities related to Golden Rice.

The CA also granted the writ of continuing mandamus also in favor of petitioners, which ordered concerned government agencies to submit strengthened risk assessment procedures and concrete mechanisms to monitor all activities in accordance with the decision.

It also revoked the Biosafety Permit for commercial propagation of Golden Rice.

This stemmed from the petition filed by Magsasaka At Siyentipiko para sa Pag-Unlad Agrikultura (Masipag), Greenpeace Southeast Asia (Greenpeace), four other groups, and seven individuals.

“The constitutional right to health and maintaining environmental integrity are privileges that do not only advance the interests of a group of individuals. The benefits of protecting human health and the environment transcend geographical locations and even generations,” the CA said.

“Considering the unmistakable importance of the constitutional right to a balanced and healthful ecology, especially in these times, we remind the government of its eminent duty to assiduously protect said right,” it added.

In granting the petition, the appellate court applied the precautionary principle, which states that when human activities may lead to threats of serious and irreversible damage to the environment that is scientifically plausible but uncertain, actions shall be taken to avoid or diminish that threat.

“The opinions of the expert witnesses for all parties… the numerous studies they submitted in evidence, and their testimonies during the hot-tubbing, suggest that no consensus could be reached on the safety or harmful effects of golden rice and Bt Eggplant on humans and the environment,” the CA said.

“To reiterate, the burden of evidence of harm is placed on those desiring to change the status quo, who, in this case, are the respondents,” it added.

GMA News Online has reached out to UPLB, PRRI, and the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) regarding the appellate court’s decision but they have yet to respond as of posting time. The OSG represents the heads of the Departments of Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources, Health, the Bureau of Plant Industry, as well as UPLB.

In April 2023, the Supreme Court also issued a writ of kalikasan to stop the release of Bt Eggplant and golden rice. — VDV, GMA Integrated News

This article CA halts release of modified rice, eggplant was originally published in GMA News Online.