A new market survey from ARGE Gentechnik-frei – the Austrian business association which awards the quality label “Produced without genetic engineering” – has found that the vast majority of Austrian consumers (90.8 percent) believe that consumers have a right to know how their food is being produced. And over 85 percent say that products containing plants or additives from ‘new genetic engineering’ should be labelled directly on the product. Crucially, on the cusp of the next round of trilogue negotiations on ‘new genetic engineering’ (NGTs), 79.7% say that the proposed legislation threatens consumers' rights and freedom of choice.
Austrian consumers are largely opposed to the new legislation currently being negotiated in Brussels between the European Commission, the European Parliament and the Council, aiming to significantly reduce labelling, traceability and transparency for new genetic engineering (NGT) products. This is confirmed by the market survey; the planned deregulation of these products is clearly rejected: 83.2 percent of those surveyed want products from NGTs to be subject to the same strict certification and regulations as previous genetic engineering. 85.1 percent are in favour of comprehensive labelling for NGT products, directly on the final product. 79.7 percent believe that the proposed legislation would restrict consumers' rights and take away their freedom of choice. Production without genetic engineering is an important purchasing motive in Austria: 76.6 percent.
Austria's quality production ‘produced without genetic engineering’ in danger
"Most consumers want GMOs - both old and new - to be labelled as such – this applies to the entire EU, and especially to Austria. There is a basic consensus between politics, business and civil society: for quality products from Austria, the label “Produced without genetic engineering” is an important differentiating factor – on the domestic market, but especially also in exports,” explains Florian Faber, Managing Director of ARGE Gentechnik-frei. "However, the legislative proposal currently being negotiated in Brussels threatens consumers’ right to information, enshrined in the EU treaties, as mandatory labelling, traceability and the currently clearly regulated approval procedure are simply to be abolished. The legislative proposal would thus destroy corporate investments – the EU Commission’s proposal is heavily influenced by the interests of the seed and biotech lobby and is a clear attack on Non-GMO and organic production, which is committed to the precautionary principle. The proposed legislation is contradictory and serves solely to promote market access for NGT products – at the expense of Non-GMO production."
Market research: Austria clearly in favour of transparency, labelling and control
The survey conducted by marketagent at the end of August/beginning of September (n = 1,005) paints a clear picture of public opinion in Austria:
- For 76.6 percent of respondents, food production without genetic engineering is an important purchasing motive.
- 85.1 percent want products from new genetic engineering (NGTs) processes to continue to be labelled as ‘genetically engineered’.
- 83.2 percent want products from NGTs to be subject to the same strict certification and regulations as ‘old’ genetic engineering.
- 79.7 percent believe that the EU Commission's proposed legislation would restrict consumer rights and take away their freedom of choice.
- 90.8 percent believe that consumers have a right to know how the food they buy in shops has been produced.
- Austrians also have a clear opinion on the use of new genetic engineering in food production:
- Only 14.2 percent are in favour of it, regardless of labelling.
- 53.4 percent can imagine food containing NGTs, but only if it is clearly and unambiguously labelled.
- 32.4 percent reject NGTs in food production on principle.
- 89.9 percent support mandatory labelling for products containing NGTs (food and feed) directly on the product.
- 74.1 percent fear that NGTs, in combination with the associated patents, will lead to increased dependence on large seed companies and the agricultural industry.
- 89.2 percent believe that the Austrian government should actively campaign within the EU for the labelling of NGTs.
‘Produced without genetic engineering’: well-known, important purchasing motive, credible
The quality label ‘Produced without genetic engineering’ achieved excellent results: 77.2 percent are familiar with the label; for 76.6 percent, ‘Produced without genetic engineering’ is an important purchasing motive; 60.9 percent would pay more for products without genetic engineering; 76.6 percent consider the ‘Produced without genetic engineering’ label to be credible or very credible.
Further information:
Florian Faber
ARGE Gentechnik-frei
f.faber@gentechnikfrei.at
+43 0664-3819502
Jens Karg
ARGE Gentechnik-frei
j.karg@gentechnikfrei.at
+43 0669-15074652