ENGA strongly criticises today’s decision by the European Parliament on the deregulation of New GMOs.
Heike Moldenhauer, ENGA Secretary General comments: “The European Parliament has sided with the biotech industry – and let down the food sector, small-scale breeders and farmers, and consumers. It has missed the opportunity to vote for the benefit of the food sector and for consumers and has irresponsibly neglected their right to know what is in their food. The Parliament has also failed to enact effective regulations against the patenting of plants and products derived from New GMOs.”
Despite repeated calls from the food sector, MEPs failed to secure essential safeguards: traceability and labelling throughout the whole value chain, detection methods for all New GMOs, and effective measures to prevent patents on New GMOs to the detriment of small breeders, farmers and food operators.
Since the EU legislation no longer requires labelling and traceability for most New GMOs, independent labelling schemes will become even more important in the future. Anyone who wants to be sure that their food has been produced without the use of new genetic engineering will need to look out for organic and Non-GMO labels.
“While most products containing New GMOs will become invisible in conventional supply chains, the key message for consumers is clear: New GMOs remain excluded from organic and Non-GMO products. These labels will therefore become even more important as safeguards for informed choice,” continues Ms Moldenhauer.
The legislation will enter into force 20 days after publication in the EU Official Journal, with operators having two years to adapt and to implement it. Until then, several technical and administrative details will need to be worked out, including numerous implementing provisions. ENGA will now closely follow the implementing phase and continue to work, with its members, on solutions for traceability, detection, coexistence, and certification.