GMO-free news from Austria

2012-02-24 | permalink

Austrian company Wech lead the way in GM free poultry

Austrian poultry company Wech are leading the way in the country’s food industry by altering their animal feed. The everyday chicken and turkey feed will no longer contain any genetically modified products further improving, they hope, the quality of their product. [...] Managing director of Wech, Dr. Karl Feichtinger said, “We are very happy that our idea has been supported because we can now guarantee our customers that not only is our produce 100 per cent Austrian but also 100 per cent free from genetic modification.”

2010-09-01 | permalink

Austria to ban imports of genetically modified agricultural products

Austrian Minister of Health Alois Stoger signed legislation to ban imports of two types of genetically modified seeds and one type of genetically modified corn on Tuesday. stressed that the legislation can ”ensure food safety without these ingredients in the next two years.”

2010-04-23 | permalink

Austrian Government withdraws study claiming Monsanto maize products reduce fertility

On November 11, 2008 the Austrian Federal Ministry for Health, Family and Youth released a report on three studies assessing the impact of biotech corn on reproduction. Of the three studies, only one showed potential impacts of GM corn. [...] The Austrian government has now withdrawn the study.

2009-08-03 | permalink

Austria pushes EU for GMO opt-out clause

The cultivation of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in the European Union could soon no longer be decided by scientific facts, but by political preferences. Fourteen member states – among them France, Poland and Portugal – say each of the 27 nations of the EU should be allowed to decide independently of scientific risk assessments whether or not to allow GMO cultivation on their territory. At the end of June, Austria tabled a proposal at the Environment Council in Luxembourg to establish this kind of politically motivated opt-out clause

2009-06-30 | permalink

Austria proposes GMO ’opt-out’ clause

After a debate on environmental risks related to the cultivation of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), Austria is now calling for an opt-out clause to be introduced to related EU legislation to allow individual member states to decide on cultivation. [...] The delegation argues that ”relevant socio-economic aspects could form a basis for individual member states to prohibit or regulate the cultivation of GMOs on the whole territory, or certain defined areas, of individual member states”.

2009-06-29 | permalink

Austria proposes GMO ’opt-out’ clause

After a debate on environmental risks related to the cultivation of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), Austria is now calling for an opt-out clause to be introduced to related EU legislation to allow individual member states to decide on cultivation. [...] The delegation argues that ”relevant socio-economic aspects could form a basis for individual member states to prohibit or regulate the cultivation of GMOs on the whole territory, or certain defined areas, of individual member states”.

2009-06-22 | permalink

Eleven EU countries will call for right to create GMO-free regions

Eleven European Union countries will call next week for the right to opt-outs for growing genetically modified (GM) crops, to cut through complex EU decision-making and end years of stalemate on biotech policy. The suggestion, to be floated at a meeting of EU environment ministers in Luxembourg on Thursday, would be for governments to restrict cultivation of specific GM crop types if they saw fit.

2009-06-03 | permalink

Towards a GM-free Europe? Austria resists GMOs

Austrian voters want the next European Parliament to fight against genetically modified crops. Only about 20% of Austrians plan to cast European ballots, yet they want their national GMO ban left alone. EU authorisations continue to sow doubt.

2009-03-02 | permalink

EU upholds Austria, Hungary right to ban GM crops

EU environment ministers gave a stinging rebuff to the European Commission on Monday and upheld the sovereign right of Austria and Hungary to ban growing of genetically modified (GM) maize, the EU presidency said. The Commission, the EU’s executive arm, had wanted the ministers to order both countries to lift the bans within 20 days. EU law provides for national GMO bans under certain circumstances if the government can justify the prohibition. It was the third time the Commission had tried to get Austria’s bans lifted and the second for Hungary.

2009-02-13 | permalink

European Commission wants Austria to lift GM ban

Austria cited concerns about lower fertility levels, insects’ resistance to the crops and possible effects on butterflies. The European Commission today launched a bid to oblige Austria to lift its ban on two different types of genetically modified (GM) maize. Austria banned the growing and marketing strains of maize MON810 and T25 in 1999 and 2000, invoking a safeguard clause that allows a member state to ban GMs provisionally if it finds new threats to the environment or human health.

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