Does the European People’s Party want to abolish transparency for new genetic engineering in agriculture?

2023-10-26 11:20:22

GLOBAL 2000: Consumer rights take precedence

Brussels/Vienna (OTS) – If the EU Commission has its way, the majority of plants to which New Genetic Engineering (NGT) methods have been used will no longer be tested for risks or labeled on food packaging. The responsible rapporteur in the EU Parliament, Jessica Polfjärd (EPP), goes in her Draft report even further: “EU MP Polfjärd also removes from the Commission’s draft the last minimum transparency requirement for new genetic engineering, the NGT labeling on seeds. In addition, the rapporteur from the European People’s Party proposes to lift the ban on new genetic engineering in organic agriculture – once morest the will of organic associations. This would mean that NGT might end up in organic foods unlabeled. This draft report is completely unacceptable!” says Brigitte Reisenberger, GLOBAL 2000 genetic engineering spokeswoman. “All EU parliamentarians are called upon to clearly reject rapporteur Polfjärd’s proposal! You must advocate for more, not less, transparency. There needs to be complete labeling and traceability for all NGT products, complete transparency for food producers and consumers,” continued Reisenberger. Deregulation of NGT will be discussed by members of the European Parliament’s Agriculture and Environment Committees on October 26 and November 7, respectively.

Violation of basic EU laws

A new Analyse from Friends of the Earth – the umbrella organization of GLOBAL 2000 – and foodwatch shows: Removing genetic engineering labels violates the General Food Act, which enshrines the right of consumers to know what they are eating. Excluding NGT from the labeling requirement sacrifices consumers’ right to transparency and information for hypothetical new markets for already large corporations. The right to transparency would be abolished with this proposed law. Clear and transparent labeling provides orientation and prevents people from being misled.

In the current ones EU genetic engineering regulations Several provisions emphasize consumers’ right to understandable and transparent information regarding whether the food contains genetically modified organisms (GMOs), consists of GMOs, was produced from GMOs or contains ingredients produced from GMOs. From these transparency requirements, a comprehensive labeling requirement for new genetic engineering can be derived. The consumer’s right to information is also included Treaty of the European Union as well as anchored in general EU food law. “Both the Commission proposal and the draft report violate these two fundamental EU laws. New genetic engineering in food and feed must not be exempt from the current strict labeling regulations,” emphasizes Reisenberger.

Labeling as a fundamental right of food producers and consumers

Labeling requires a high level of traceability along the food chain and the implementation of tests and certifications. If consumers do not want to buy foods that contain or are made from GMOs (including new genetic engineering), manufacturers and retailers must be able to provide the necessary guarantees that their foods are GMO-free are. These guarantees can only be given if it is stated at each stage of the supply chain whether ingredients or raw materials that contain or have been produced from GMOs are used. By eliminating mandatory labeling of new GMOs, the European Commission’s proposal makes it impossible to offer certified GMO-free foods.

According to the current ones EU GMO regulations Foods with ingredients such as rapeseed oil from genetically modified rapeseed or cornflakes made from genetically modified corn must be labeled on the product as genetically modified or made from GMOs. In 2018 he decided European Courtthat newer generation GMOs are also GMOs and therefore fall under the EU GMO regulations for labelling, traceability and risk assessment.

“Labeling is not a mere formality, but a fundamental right that gives farmers, food producers, retailers and consumers the opportunity to make informed decisions and decide what they grow in their fields, in their products use, sell in their supermarkets and eat. We all have the right to choose non-GMO foods. We call on the EU ministers and the European Parliament to reject the proposed legislation and to continue to strictly regulate NGT and label it as genetic engineering in the interests of farmers, consumers and the environment,” concluded Brigitte Reisenberger.

Questions & Contact:

Selina Englmayer, GLOBAL 2000 press spokesperson,
[phone], [e-mail]
Brigitte Reisenberger, GLOBAL 2000 genetic engineering spokesperson,
[phone], [e-mail]

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