Dear Readers,
In order to credibly label Non-GMO feed and food products and thus provide a trustworthy and transparent system for traceability, the Non-GMO business sector needs comprehensive and reliable information about which products are “with GMO” – throughout the whole value chain. This of course applies to both “old” and “new” GMOs.
Consequently, the issue of research on detection methods for GMOs, especially the widely debated “new Genomic Techniques” have been a key topic in our recent ENGA meeting with the EU Commission’s biotech unit. The rather disquieting answer to our question about which research programs the Commission has already set up in order to identify products developed with techniques such as CRISPR/Cas was: none... This is all the more alarming as the entire EU food sector has been asking for detection methods and a correspondingly commitment by the EU regulatory bodies for years. Fortunately, 31 EU parliamentarians from 5 political groups have now addressed this omission in an open letter to the responsible commissioners, including a call for concrete action.
With the launch of an inception impact assessment in September 2021, the EU Commission has started its deregulation process for new GMOs. The upcoming impact assessment is expected for early April 2022. During a 12-weeks consultation period for stakeholders affected by the envisaged new GMO legislation the Non-GMO sector has the opportunity to raise its voice and to stand up for its freedom to conduct Non-GMO business. ENGA will advise and assist and is preparing already policy papers and argumentative “tool-kits” for companies and associations. Please get in touch with us in case you are interested.
What Europeans think of when they hear "GMOs" and "USA": The world's number 1 in terms of GMO cultivation. But what few people know: The USA has by far the largest market for Non-GMO products worldwide. A total turnover of 40 billion USD and an annual growth rate of 5 to 10 percent show that consumer expectations in the USA and the EU are very similar. For many of them, GMOs on the plate are a supply without a demand.
Non-GMO food products rely on Non-GMO feed. And the EU is actively striving towards a European protein strategy. Essential element for these targets is the impressive production growth of European Non-GMO soybeans, certified by ENGA member Donau Soja. 10 percent of the last European soybean harvest have met the Donau Soja and Europe Soya standard.
Please support our work – e.g. by actively distributing this newsletter within your network - as of course we think it is essential to have the voice of ENGA being heard by as many players in the Non-GMO community as possible. We invite representatives of your network to regularly receive our newsletter link subscribe.
Please feel free to inform your partners and networks about the work and goals of ENGA, and to increase our strength on the European market and towards the European regulatory bodies by having as many business platforms and companies as possible to join our cause Membership Benefits.
By the way: ENGA is looking for communication support.
Kind regards,
Heike Moldenhauer
Secretary General