Pilot scheme enlists farmers to root out GM papayas from Hong Kong
A new movement to root out the ubiquitous GM form of the fruit has met with some success
Removing genetically modified papayas from Hong Kong is not only possible, the GM-free form of the fruit is in fact in great demand.
That's according to representatives of an initiative that assists local farmers in the transition to growing GM-free papayas.
The city's Genetically Modified Organisms (Control of Release) Ordinance, which came into effect in June last year, aims to protect local biodiversity by preventing the release of GM species into the environment and prohibits nearly all GM crops.
But papaya is exempt from the law because the government said the GM form of the fruit would be very hard to eradicate.
"We recognise that a total removal of GM papayas is impossible, but does that mean there is nothing we can do about it?" asked Yip Tsz-shing from O-Farm, one of the groups that has joined the "NO GMO" - the O stands for organisms - action.
Since last March, more than 1,000 GM papaya plants of unknown origin have been removed from four villages in the New Territories which voluntarily joined the pilot scheme, spearheaded by the Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden.