Petition asking supermarkets for GMO food labelling in Europe

Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig

I just added the petition: Labelling of GMO in UK.

It would be great if you you signed because:

At present GMO soy (and other) feed is given to chickens, pigs, cows, sheep and other animals in Europe. The meat from the animals, their eggs, milk and other products are not labelled as containing GMO's. There has been research produced that has found chemicals from GMO's in human breast tissue which could easily transfer to milk. There has been no long term independent research carried out in Europe (by scientists unconnected to the chemical companies and where the research has not been paid for by the chemical companies) on whether animals fed on GMO feed might contain GMO chemicals in their meat, eggs or milk. We therefore do not know the long term health problems, such as cancer, that eating these products might cause. I am 13 years old and could be eating these products all my life and am very worried about their impact. Therefore the consumer has the right to know which products contain meat, eggs or milk from animals fed on GMO's feed, so that they can choose to avoid these products if they want to. The consumers are the ones that should make the decision whether they eat these GMO fed animals and take the risk with the health of themselves and their families, not you. Watch my video on how I feel about GMO's https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bft6KzPlZEU

http://community.sumofus.org/petitio…/labelling-of-gmo-in-uk

Real change happens when everyday people like you and I come together and stand up for what we believe in. Together we can reach lots of people and help create change around this important issue.

After you've signed the petition please can you share it? 

Thank you

About the Writer

Young Birder Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig on Scilly

Photograph taken by and copyright Chris Craig 

Mya-Rose Craig is a 13 year old young birder, naturalist, conservationist, environmentalist, activist, writer and speaker. She is based near Bristol and writes the successful Birdgirl Blog, with posts about birding and conservation from around the world. She loved seeing Mountain Gorillas in East Africa and Penguins in Antarctica over Christmas 2015, her 7th continent.

Mya-Rose is a Bristol European Green Capital Ambassador along with Kevin McCloud, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, Tony Juniper, Simon King, Miranda Krestovnikoff and Shaun the Sheep! See the full list of Bristol Ambassadors. She has also been listed with the singer songwriter George Ezra and actress Maisie Williams from Game of Thrones as one of Bristol's most influential young people. Please like her Birdgirl Facebook Page and follow her on Birdgirl Twitter

Appearing in The Resurgence and Ecologist Magazine

Today I appeared in The Resurgence and Ecologist Magazine

http://www.theecologist.org/campaigning/2987537/opening_up_the_debate_on_gmos_to_the_voices_of_the_future.html

When I heard that the GMO campaign by Beyond GM that I had been involved in called "Our Food our Future" with my video on GMO's had appeared in The Resurgence and Ecologist, I knew it was significant but was not sure exactly why. As a British activist, I had heard of The Ecologist, but I didn't know why it was prominent. So I looked it up. This is what I found on Wikipedia.

"The Ecologist is the title of a British environmental journal, then magazine, that was published from 1970 to 2009. Founded by Edward Goldsmith, it addressed a wide range of environmental subjects and promoted an ecological systems thinking approach through its news stories, investigations and opinion articles. The Ecologist encouraged its readers to tackle global issues on a local scale. After cessation of its print edition in July 2009, The Ecologist continued as an online magazine. In mid-2012, it merged with Resurgence magazine, edited by Satish Kumar, with the first issue of the new Resurgence & Ecologist appearing in print in September 2012. The Ecologist was based in London."

"In 1972, the Ecologist published A Blueprint for Survival (1972), to which an entire issue was dedicated. Writing in the Guardian newspaper, former contributor Fred Pearce described it as "a radical green manifesto that went on to sell 750,000 copies and kept the magazine financially afloat for years."[citation needed] A recommendation of the Blueprint led directly to the creation of the People Party which became the Ecology Party and then the Green Party (UK). A Blueprint for Survival follows through the consequences of what happens when humans disrupt the ecosystems in which they exist. It explains that when these systems are disrupted, they alter other ecosystems all over the world. Written in an age before climate change was understood, A Blueprint for Survival stands as one of the earliest forecasts of many of the environmental problems the world faces today."

"In the 'Monsanto' issue of September 1998, The Ecologist assembled a selection of articles critical of agri-business giant, Monsanto’s, environmental record. The Ecologist's printing firm at the time, Penwells, feared libel litigation from Monsanto and pulped the 14,000 copies of the edition. The issue was ultimately printed by a small London printer and went on to become the most-sold issue of The Ecologist ever."

"Amongst it's editors was Zac Goldsmith, Edward's Nephew. He stepped down as editor in June 2007, saying, "The magazine has to remain impartial and feel free to have a go at the Government and at the Conservatives. So I can't both be the editor and a parliamentary candidate." He remained as Chairman and Director of The Ecologist."

It's important to understand the work of others before and clearly The Resurgence and Ecologist has done a huge amount to highlight issues to do with the environment. 

It's a shame that the Goldsmiths are so right wing in their politics as it would have been great to have someone standing as London Mayor from the Green Party.  I actually think there is a conflict between conservative politics and environmental principles, at least at the moment.

So now I understand the importance of appearing in an iconic environmental Magazine and feel very proud of myself.  Well done to Pat Thomas at Beyond GM for getting her article published there.

For more information http://bit.ly/1qGqWqC

About the Writer

Young Birder Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig on Scilly
Photograph taken by and copyright Chris Craig

Mya-Rose Craig is a 13 year old young birder, naturalist, conservationist, environmentalist, activist, writer and speaker. She is based near Bristol and writes the successful Birdgirl Blog, with posts about birding and conservation from around the world. She loved seeing Mountain Gorillas in East Africa and Penguins in Antarctica over Christmas 2015, her 7th continent. 

Mya-Rose is a Bristol European Green Capital Ambassador along with Kevin McCloud, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, Tony Juniper, Simon King, Miranda Krestovnikoff and Shaun the Sheep! See the full list of Bristol Ambassadors. She has also been listed with the singer songwriter George Ezra and actress Maisie Williams from Game of Thrones as one of Bristol's most influential young people. Please like her Birdgirl Facebook Page and follow her on Birdgirl Twitter

Thank you letter from Geographical Association

This is the lovely letter I received from the President of the Geographical Association for School Teachers on the talk I gave at their Annual Conference.

Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig talking to geography teachers at the GA Conference

12 April 2016

Dear Mya-Rose,

I simply had to write and thank you for all the time you gave up to come and talk at, not one, but two sessions at the Geographical Association conference. You will be pleased to hear I am sure that your contributions were a key talking point around the conference and that the points you were making have been discussed in a wider community - the geographers. I am so grateful to you for contacting us and for sharing your thoughts and ideas with us. I know the young people in the morning were intrigued with what you had to say and that they found it especially useful to have someone of a similar age talking to them as opposed to someone of another generation. The teachers in the afternoon were deeply impressed with your confidence and presence in presenting and the messages you so clearly articulated. Many of them will be using your ideas in their future lessons.

I am only so sorry that my Presidential duties prevented me from spending more time with you and attending the sessions myself. But it has been good to receive so many positive and lovely comments about what you offered the conference. I do hope that you enjoyed the experience and that you felt it was a worthwhile event to attend.

Thank you for your kind invitation to the Bristol event you are involved with - I am hoping to be there - it really does depend on availability at the time. My colleague Jeremy Kraus who lives in Bristol is hoping to be there anyway so I will hear of another success from you.

My very best wishes for the future - I know it will be a bright one.

And thank you again for joining us.

Steve

Steve Rawlinson

President, Geographical Association

Geographical Association Primary Geography Champion

Consultant to the Geographical Association

Chair of the Primary Geography Editorial Board

http://www.geography.org.uk/

Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig talking to geography teachers at the GA Conference

About the Writer

Young Birder Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig on Scilly
Photograph taken by and copyright Chris Craig

Mya-Rose Craig is a 13 year old young birder, naturalist, conservationist, environmentalist, activist, writer and speaker. She is based near Bristol and writes the successful Birdgirl Blog, with posts about birding and conservation from around the world. She loved seeing Mountain Gorillas in East Africa and Penguins in Antarctica over Christmas 2015, her 7th continent. 

Mya-Rose is a Bristol European Green Capital Ambassador along with Kevin McCloud, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, Tony Juniper, Simon King, Miranda Krestovnikoff and Shaun the Sheep! See the full list of Bristol Ambassadors. She has also been listed with the singer songwriter George Ezra and actress Maisie Williams from Game of Thrones as one of Bristol's most influential young people. Please like her Birdgirl Facebook Page and follow her on Birdgirl Twitter

Results of owl pellets from Chew Valley Ringing Station

Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig Dissecting an owl pellet at WWT Slimbridge
Photograph taken by and copyright Helena Craig

Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig Dissecting an owl pellet at WWT Slimbridge
Photograph taken by and copyright Helena Craig

In 2015 some owl pellets were collected from Chew Valley Ringing station, which is based on a nature reserve. The owl pellets have now been dissected and examined and the results are listed below. The most interesting are that there are moles, harvest mice and water shrews in the pellets. There were lots of starling feathers but no starlings.

Field Vole 262

Bank Vole 37

Common Shrew 87

Pygmy Shrew 51

Water Shrew 2

Wood Mouse 37

House Mouse 8

Brown Rat 8

Harvest Mouse 7

Whitethroat 1

Wren 1

Mole 2

Dung Beetle 1

Small Beetles 2

Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig dissecting an owl pellet at WWT Slimbridge
Photograph taken by and copyright Helena Craig

It was really interesting to see these results and know what animals are around for the owls to kill and eat.

Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig and Ed Drewitt
Photograph taken by and copyright Helena Craig

Thank you to Ed Drewitt BSc MRSB from University of Bristol, Senior Teaching Associate, School of Biological Sciences.

About the Writer

Young Birder Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig on Scilly
Photograph taken by and copyright Chris Craig

Mya-Rose Craig is a 13 year old young birder, naturalist, conservationist, environmentalist, activist, writer and speaker. She is based near Bristol and writes the successful Birdgirl Blog, with posts about birding and conservation from around the world. She loved seeing Mountain Gorillas in East Africa and Penguins in Antarctica over Christmas 2015, her 7th continent. 

Mya-Rose is a Bristol European Green Capital Ambassador along with Kevin McCloud, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, Tony Juniper, Simon King, Miranda Krestovnikoff and Shaun the Sheep! See the full list of Bristol Ambassadors. She has also been listed with the singer songwriter George Ezra and actress Maisie Williams from Game of Thrones as one of Bristol's most influential young people. Please like her Birdgirl Facebook Page and follow her on Birdgirl Twitter

My video on GMO's

Please watch my video on my concerns about Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO's) http://bit.ly/1UUGIL2

I'm really worried about GMO's being brought into the UK food chain, without us citizens getting a say. Last year, I wrote a blog post about GMO's http://bit.ly/1qBxciR which appeared on Beyond GM's website.

In the USA, GMO's are classified as weed killer and not food. This is not about feeding the world, we already have enough food to feed everyone on the planet. This is about our food being part herbicide and pesticide and the obvious effect on health this is likely to have.  There is no research testing the effects of GMO that are longer than 3 months, so how is that testing what will happen to my in 30 years if I eat this food?

I believe that our politicians and countries are in effect bought out by large corporations.  Very soon President Obama is coming to Europe to try and force through the TTIP, Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership.  This will allow any USA company to sue a EU government or local government if their profits might be reduced by a piece of legislation and stop the new law.  So in the USA, the chemical companies who manufacture GMO's stopped State Governments from bringing in law that said that food had to be labelled if it contains GMO's.  The basis of the cases were that if people knew that a product contained GMO's they might not buy it and this would effect the company's profits. I find it unbelievable that we would be even considering an agreement that will stop the people we elected from looking after our health for profit.

Already many of our UK animals are fed GMO food and so the chemicals will be in the meat, eggs and milk.  All of this is unlabelled and consumers have no idea.  Please start opening your eyes to what is happening and say no to GMO's.

For more information http://bit.ly/1qGqWqC

About the Writer

Young Birder Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig on Scilly
Photograph taken by and copyright Chris Craig

Mya-Rose Craig is a 13 year old young birder, naturalist, conservationist, environmentalist, activist, writer and speaker. She is based near Bristol and writes the successful Birdgirl Blog, with posts about birding and conservation from around the world. She loved seeing Mountain Gorillas in East Africa and Penguins in Antarctica over Christmas 2015, her 7th continent. 

Mya-Rose is a Bristol European Green Capital Ambassador along with Kevin McCloud, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, Tony Juniper, Simon King, Miranda Krestovnikoff and Shaun the Sheep! See the full list of Bristol Ambassadors. She has also been listed with the singer songwriter George Ezra and actress Maisie Williams from Game of Thrones as one of Bristol's most influential young people. Please like her Birdgirl Facebook Page and follow her on Birdgirl Twitter