The EU is about to break a taboo. Although green genetic engineering methods have evolved since 2001, strict rules still apply for their application. However, the EU Commission is now planning to relax those rules, which has raised concerns among some critics and is seen as a potential breach of the dam. These plans are also met with resistance in Austria.
AUSTRIA/BRUSSELS. A genetically modified maize was only approved in Belgium in May. Genetic engineering has made this corn shorter and therefore more stable. Approval was granted under certain conditions, including a minimum distance of 200 meters from conventional plantings, high fencing and regular surveillance. In the EU, these field trials with genetically modified plants are manageable. In 20 EU countries there is a ban on the cultivation of manipulated plants. However, the EU Commission is planning to change this situation. She believes that the strict rules that have existed for over 20 years are no longer up to date.
Armed against climate change
The European Commission plans to present a bill on Wednesday that could make the use of genetic engineering in agriculture much easier within the EU. Until now, regulations regarding the use of genetic engineering in human food have been particularly strict. However, the Commission believes that new methods of genetic engineering can contribute to a more sustainable food system. The aim of deregulation is, among other things, to accelerate the cultivation of plants that are more resistant to water shortages or pests.
NGOs and consumer advocates alarmed
Scientists have been pushing for some time to relax strict EU rules on green genetic engineering. On the other hand, the plans that have been made public have already generated severe criticism from Austrian NGOs and other actors. Critics worry that big corporations could gain even more control over food production. Consumer advocates, on the other hand, fear that, in the future, citizens will no longer be able to consciously decide against consuming food modified by new methods of genetic engineering. However, neither the EU Commission nor the researchers see an increased risk to human health from the planned deregulation.
Environment Minister Leonore Gewessler (Greens) spoke to the Council of Ministers on Wednesday about “great concern” about the plans. “If you really regulate that freedom of choice is taken away, that’s something we’ll definitely fight for in Austria with great consistency,” she said.
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