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01 Nov 2005 |
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Daily Edition: San José, Costa Rica, November 01, 2005
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Guanacaste Canton
Declares Itself GMO-Free
The canton of Santa Cruz, in the northwestern province of Guanacaste, last week became the second Costa Rican canton to declare itself transgenic-free, environmentalist Fabián Pacheco told The Tico Times yesterday.
(Click for more)
Public Sector Announces National
Anti-CAFTA Protest
Various groups of Costa Rican public workers, supported by diverse social organizations, yesterday announced they will engage in a national protest against the Central American Free-Trade Agreement with the United States (CAFTA) on Nov. 17.
(Click for more)
Coffee Fungus Threatens
Nation's Crop
The National Coffee Institute (ICAFÉ) announced today its concern about a fungus called “ ojo de gallo ” that has damaged nearly 10% of the 2005-2006 coffee harvest in Costa Rica.
(Click for more)
November 01
Tapas Festival
Hotel Costa Rica Marriott invites everyone to taste delicacies from Southern Spain. Meals will be served at 7 p.m., at La Isabela Restaurant. San Antonio de Belén, Heredia. Info: 253-5518, 360-4243.
Free Spanish Seminar
The Subjunctive, at Conversa, Av. 3/5, Ca. 38. Info: 221-7649.
Speakers' Forum
“Peak Oil and Energy Independence for Costa Rica,” one-hour talk by Steve Roman, Nov. 1, 7 p.m., Big Mike's, Escazú. Info: 289-6333, 821-4708, 289-6087.
The Newcomers Club for English-Speaking Women
With presentation of Nancy Trinidad's program “Art for Dummies,” at 9:30 a.m., Villa Belén Bed and Breakfast. Info: 232-3999.
Edited By María Gabriela Díaz
Tico Times Staff
mgdiaz@ticotimes.net
Guanacaste Canton
Declares Itself GMO-Free
By María Gabriela Díaz
Tico Times Staff
mgdiaz@ticotimes.net
The canton of Santa Cruz, in the northwestern province of Guanacaste, last week became the second Costa Rican canton to declare itself transgenic-free, environmentalist Fabián Pacheco told The Tico Times yesterday.
Members of the Santa Cruz Municipal Council unanimously approved a motion to prohibit cultivation of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) – also known as transgenics – within the canton, according to a statement from the Biodiversity Coordination Network of Costa Rica, a conservation group whose anti-GMO campaign Pacheco coordinates.
Roger Matarrita, coordinator of the Santa Cruz Municipality 's environmental committee, said in the statement that the people of Guanacaste enjoy “consuming traditional dishes made using corn…and do not want these varieties of corn to be contaminated with transgenic genes.”
GMOs are genetically manipulated in laboratories to exhibit certain traits. Crops can be designed to resist viral infections, bacteria, fungi, and pesticides (TT, Nov. 19, 2004).
Many of the country's environmentalists, including Pacheco, son of President Abel Pacheco, fiercely oppose GMOs, maintaining they represent a threat to human health and the environment (TT, Feb. 25).
Arguing that existing studies on the impact of GMOs on people and the environment are insufficient, activist groups in Costa Rica last year requested a moratorium on transgenic crops (TT, April 23, 2004).
On March 28, the canton of Paraíso, east of San José, declared itself the first Costa Rican GMO-free territory.
Public Sector Announces National
Anti-CAFTA Protest
Various groups of Costa Rican public workers, supported by diverse social organizations, yesterday announced they will engage in a national protest against the Central American Free-Trade Agreement with the United States (CAFTA) on Nov. 17.
“This protest will unite different sectors, including farmers, truck drivers, public workers, teachers, students, ecologists, intellectuals, women's movements, etc.,” Albino Vargas, Secretary General of the National Association of Public and Private Employees (ANEP), told journalists.
According to Vargas, now that President Abel Pacheco has sent CAFTA to the Legislative Assembly (TT, Oct. 21), “all the different work sectors and social groups have come together” to organize this march, which will include all kinds of “creative” demonstrations.
Several organizations, such as the National Civic Movement and the National Social Network, which represent the majority of workers' unions and social organizations in the country, will participate in the protest.
Federico López, president of the Universidad Nacional (UNA) employees' union, explained the protest will take place throughout the country with different activities. In San José, a march to the Legislative Assembly is scheduled.
After the march, protestors will hand legislators a manifesto “explaining the reasons why we are against CAFTA,” he said.
“Educators must embrace our historic responsibility of becoming involved in great national topics such as CAFTA, and defend our state as well as a more just and equitable society,” López added.
Costa Rica remains the only CAFTA signatory country that has not ratified the agreement.
--ACAN-EFE
Coffee Fungus Threatens
Nation's Crop
The National Coffee Institute (ICAFÉ) announced today its concern about a fungus called “ ojo de gallo ” that has damaged nearly 10% of the 2005-2006 coffee harvest in Costa Rica.
Juan Bautista Moya, director of ICAFÉ, told the wire service ACAN-EFE that the fungus has mostly affected plantations in the Central Valley and the Pacific slope, where excessive rain has provoked the appearance of the fungus.
Preliminary calculations indicate that up to 275,000 quintals could be lost out of the estimated 2.75 million-quintal harvest.
The ojo del gallo (cock's eye) fungus shows up as a small spot on the plants' leaves and attacks the foliage. In severe cases, it forces farmers to cut the entire plant, Moya said.
“It is a problem that affects not only the entire harvest but will also affect future harvests…If the attack is severe the plant must be cut, which will affect at least three more harvests,” Moya said.
The official added that “unfortunately we can do absolutely nothing” to combat the fungus because of the persistent rains that wash off any chemical applied to eliminate the plague.
In the first nine months of 2005, coffee exports reached $203 million, representing a 19% growth compared to $169 million in the same period in 2004.
Last year, Costa Rica exported a total of $199.5 million worth of coffee.
- ACAN-EFE
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