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Namibia Consumer Trust. Michael Gaweseb Executive Director. NCT’s Background. Not for profit registered institution Member of Consumers International NCT advocates for consumer rights to be respected e.g. to choose, informed, redress, etc. Consumer Education.
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Namibia Consumer Trust Michael Gaweseb Executive Director
NCT’s Background • Not for profit registered institution • Member of Consumers International • NCT advocates for consumer rights to be respected e.g. to choose, informed, redress, etc
Consumer Education • NCT strives to educate consumers about their rights • Hold workshops in most regions in Namibia • Uses media as well since it does not have members by choice due to divide between rich and poor • Conducts research based advocacy
Why is GMO important to consumers? • To consume food is a right • Quality of food should conform to such rights • Most Namibians consume maize as staple food, especially the poor (up to 3x per day) • Maize/corn used for GMO experimentation • Roughly about 50 to 60% maize imported • Thus the question was “do we eat GMO in Namibia?”
Consumers Detected GMO in maize • Test results: Top Score = 1.09% White Star = 2.75% Ace = 56.82% Above results not on packaging
Natural consumer conclusion • GMO = DECEPTION (no appropriate labeling) • Thus the precautionary principle • Reject GMOs as consumer right to choice, redress Information, etc are not respected ISO 26 000 for social responsibility provides for the precautionary principle, thus companies that care should label proactively
Health concerns • Conduct suggest there are real concerns as proven overwhelmingly on rats, pigs, etc. As well as severe restriction of GMO in many countries • Thus NCT keen for GMO not to be fed to humans, especially when they are not informed in advance.
Test results • Undeclared species found such as pork, Kangaroo, etc • Undeclared species and GMO threatens consumer right to know • It raises questions of ethics, religious and cultural rights violations, etc
Resilience and food security • To be looked at in relation to household food security, nutrition, prices, etc an not only the national food security. • GMOs may pose threat to food sovereignty, thus food security as seed is patented. • Products to be marketed in a fair and honest manner to protect consumer confidence in the marketing mechanisms.
