New GMO free zone in Romania, in Sibiu region

Newsroom 24/08/2010 | 13:50

The Local Action Group (GAL) Hartibaciu Micro-region, together with the GMO Information Centre (InfOMG), has officially launched a zone free of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in Sibiu, in the Hartibaciu Microregion, comprising 11 communes, one town, 13 companies and 40 partners in the non-governmental and private areas.

According to an assessment study conducted by the “Hartibaciu Microregion Local Action Group” for the sustainable development strategy of the area, the best option for the Hartibaciu Area is organic agriculture. The landscape, soil structure, climate and specific air currents of the Hartibaciu Valley are not suitable for practising intensive agriculture, as the InfoOMG press release shows.

What’s more, the lack of a developed industrial economy and the lack of financial resources have kept the area unpolluted and have contributed to the opportunity to develop organic agriculture. The production of clean foodstuffs without chemical residues is the best option for the local producers from the Hartibaciu Area, concludes the InfoOMG assessment study.

“The possible advantages of those who cultivate GMOs are shallow compared to the damage done to other producers. The only chance of Hartibaciu area is to be clean, and for this we have a duty not to allow contamination with products that are not proven to be safe”, declares Ilarion Barsan, president of GAL Hartibaciu Micro-region.