Articles

In the EU, genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are strictly regulated in order to protect human and animal health and the environment. We examine why the current EU legislation works well for both the industry and the consumer.

In the EU, genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are strictly regulated, by a legal framework, which - according to the EU Commission’s website - aims to protect human and animal health and the environment, by having a safety assessment “of the highest possible standards” at EU level before any product is placed on the market.

The growing demand for non-GMO products is driving the growth of the market. The demand for non-GMO products is increasing, as they are healthier alternatives to GM food products. Consumers are willing to pay high prices for these products. Animal-derived produce from GM-fed animals is considered harmful to health and the environment. Moreover, there have been concerns regarding the use of GM crops and animal-derived produce, which has encouraged producers of eggs, meat, and dairy to switch to non-GMO feed. Hence, many leading vendors are switching to non-GMO products to meet the demand.

Misleading report published on behalf of the EU Parliament

13 October 2022 / On 20 October, the ‘Panel for the Future of Science and Technology’ (STOA) at the European Parliament will host a presentation of a new report on plants derived from new genomic techniques (NGT, also New Genetic Engineering or genome editing). The authors of the report “Genome edited crops and 21st century food systems challenges” and their institute, the Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie (VIB), are actively lobbying to deregulate agricultural plants derived from new genomic techniques (NGTs). However, the report fails to make this background transparent.

Together with 39 organisations we have sent a letter to EU Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides to express our serious concerns over the way in which the Directorate-General for Health (DG Sante) is organising the impact assessment on new GMOs – new genomic techniques (NGTs) – and in particular, the consultations that will feed into the assessment. The outcome of this assessment could have far reaching impacts on consumer choice, food safety, organic and conventional farming and the environment.

In 2018 the European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled that new gene-edited organisms are covered by the EU’s GMO laws and are subject to the same safety assessments and labelling requirements as any other GMOs. The ruling galvanised a concerted lobbying response by promoters of new GM technology to get these new GMOs exempted from the EU’s GMO laws.

The EU’s green ambitions are in great jeopardy. The agribusiness industry is using the cost-of-living crisis as an excuse to push stronger EU environmental legislation off the table and weaken already existing legislation. For instance, they are pushing against tighter pesticides rules and in favour of relaxing GMO rules. But the lobby is increasingly driven by GM researchers and institutes with links to industry or with vested interests. The Commission seems to be listening to these pro-deregula

September 16 at 1 pm with Claire Robinson from GMWatch!

Ever heard of new plant breeding techniques or new genetic engineering techniques with a reference to tools such as CRISPR-Cas and wondered what it’s all about?

Those terms might sound technical, but they are actually referring to a new generation of GMOs (genetically modified organisms) that bear similar risks and threats to the previous generation of GMOs.

UK government and EU lobbyists are misleading policymakers, regulators, and the public. Report by Claire Robinson

A group of 56 international scientists and policy experts have published a statement opposing the use of the term “precision breeding” to describe gene or genome editing, on the grounds that it is “technically and scientifically inaccurate and therefore misleads Parliament, regulators, and the public”.

Over the past 30 years OCA and our allies across the world have fought hard against gene-spliced GMO foods and crops and the toxic pesticides and chemicals that always accompany them, exposing their dangers, limiting their market share, and in some countries bringing about mandatory bans (Mexico) and/or labeling and safety-testing. (USA and Europe)

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“‘Companies call these things ‘synthetic biology’ and ‘fermentation technology,’ but these foods are all just GMOs,’ said Michael Hansen, Senior Staff Scientist at Consumer Reports. ‘They are using terms people do not understand, so that people will not realize these are GMO ingredients.’”

A recent poll in the UK indicates that 60% of consumers do not want to eat GE lab meat.

By Dr Eva Sirinathsinghji

Publisher: TWN

Year: 2022 No. of pages: 40

CROPS genetically modified to contain toxins from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis have been touted as having inbuilt capacity to ward off pests. These so-called Bt crops are now increasingly being promoted in developing countries despite growing concerns surrounding their efficacy and suitability.