The network meeting for a “GMO-free Macedonia,” met on 17.10.2008 in Skopje. All participating coalition members were in attendance. Topics discussed at the meeting involved the current conditions of all activities regarding the protection of Macedonia from GMO contamination by citizen organizations and all participating networks.

The attending members agreed to make a national council and central office which will coordinate all activities f the network.  The national council will consist of E.A. “Vila Zora’-Veles, E.A. “Eko-Sense”-Skopje, E.A. “Kalinka”-Valandovo, E.A. “Gansnica”-Ohrid and Association for Care and Education of Children” Probistip and “Vila Zora” was chosen for the one year mandate in the central office.

Biosphere presented and suggested the development of a “green packet” that would include questions and candidates’ municipalities.  The proclamation for GMO free municipalities would be provided to inhabitants by the mayor and written in the local language.

Network members decided to:

1.      Start national campaign for protection from GMO`s

2.      Including question for candidates for Mayors on next local elections: “Do you support announcement of your Municipality like GMO free region?”

3.      To make effective exchange of information within the network.

4.      Increase contacts with media

5.      To initiate changes in the law for labelling products GMO free

In cooperation with experts from the "Faculty for Food and Agrriculture" in Skopje; activities for the decontamination of soil in Veles (BIO-REMEDIATION) have continued tthroughout this year.

We sown  a new  parcel with corn and want to compare the capacities of alfalfa and white clover with the capacities of corn for further revitalization of the soil.

Parcels at the primary school “Vasil Glavinov” and ESM in Veles, have been sown  with oil rape seeds;  which according to expert opinion is one of the strongest decontaminators of polluted areas.

Next month we expect to have new results regarding the absorption capacities of alfalfa and white clover (decontamination from last tree years) and the concentrations levels of heavy metals in decontaminated soil. The tests will be don through an authorized laboratory in Skopje in cooperation with our experts from “Faculty for food and agriculture”.

This phaze of decontamination of soil in Veles is supported by the Humane Earth Foundation.

From 12-15 May 2008, in Bonn, Germany, the first world Congress of “The Future of Food and Agriculture” was held. Representatives from over 50 countries participated and presented their efforts regarding the protection of biodiversity, Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO), and the development of organic agriculture.

On the first day, a festival was held which presented organic food and products. In the center of the city, 6000 people participated in demonstrations demanding protection from GMO’s. Demonstrations were peaceful, without incidents and violence. Bonn was the center of resistance against GMO’s in the world.

On the next day, the plenary session was held. New scientific information was presented about organic agriculture, development of organics and the influence of GMO’s on nature.  Also presented were participant’s activities on the protection of biodiversity.

Nenad Kocic, director of E. D. “Vila Zora” was the local representative from Macedonia. He presented “Vila Zora’s” activities for the network of a GMO-free Macedonia during the plenary session.

Representatives from all countries who participated in the Congress, supported “Vila Zora” activities and a GMO-free Macedonia  They showed their approval for this one small country in Europe that is a good example of how citizens should fight against the invasion of GMO’s.

The municipality council of Chaska along with the environmental organization “Vila Zora,” under an initiative from the coalition of a Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) free Macedonia declared the municipality of Chaska a GMO free zone.

Presently two other municipalities have declared themselves GMO free; the municipalities of Ohrid and Veles.  Chaska is the first rural municipality to support this initiative.  The declaration means support from the public and citizens that have expressed their concerned for the use and creation of GMO products and food in their environment.  Throughout Europe, there are many regions that have declared themselves GMO free and in some countries of the European Union, GMO free zones are protected by law.

The text of the declaration states that it is forbidden to sow GMO seed and produce GMO food and products from plants or animals.  It is also forbidden to import and sell GMO products in shops and green markets.

The municipality of Chaska has sworn that they will uphold and practice all sustainable issues like educational meetings, and discussion groups to teach about the damage caused by GMO products.  The declaration will be sent to the government of the Republic of Macedonia with the goal of supporting a new GMO law for the protection and rights of the people to live in an environment free of GMO products.

Supported by the Grassroots Foundation