AK rejects EU Commission proposal for new genetic engineering and demands clear labeling for new genetic engineering
Vienna (OTS) – The legal proposal presented yesterday by the EU Commission on new genetic engineering completely ignores consumers’ right to clear labeling of genetically modified foods that do not pose any risk. In the future, almost all food and feed produced with the help of new genetic engineering processes will end up in the supermarket without labeling and without risk checks. “It tramples on consumers’ desire for safe, non-GMO food,” criticizes AK genetic engineering expert Iris Strutzmann. “In the future, we will no longer have an overview of which products are still GMO-free. The traceability of genetically modified foods along the food chain is history”, warns specialist Strutzmann.
The EU Commission divides new genetically engineered plants into two categories. Category 1 genetically modified plants are classified as conventionally grown plants. For them, there is no risk assessment for human health and the environment, no labeling for consumers as a genetically modified organism (GMO) and no traceability of genetic engineering along the value chain. Category 2 genetically modified plants are considered genetically modified plants. They must be labeled GMO. You can also get a sort of sustainability stamp.
Research recently published by the Vienna Chamber of Labor shows how important the topic of genetic engineering is for consumers. For 84% of consumers, an important criterion when buying groceries is that the products are GMO-free and, despite rising food prices, only 8% of respondents would do without GMO-free food.
“New genetic engineering” refers to processes that technically modify the genetic material of living beings, but with more precise methods than the methods of “conventional genetic engineering”, for example, using the so-called CRISPR-Cas genetic scissors. However, these methods may harbor risks that have not yet been sufficiently researched, such as unintentional changes.
The Commission classifies almost all food and feed produced with the help of new genetic engineering as comparable to conventional breeding. These category 1 NGT plants are exempt from the requirements of current genetic engineering legislation. this means
- no risk assessment for human health and the environment
- no labeling for consumers as GMO
- no traceability of genetic engineering along the value chain
According to EU Commissioner Frans Timmermans, climate-adapted plants will be grown with the help of new genetic engineering. Hope in new genetic engineering for climate-friendly plants completely ignores the fact that the climate crisis in agriculture is very complex. There are periods of drought, heavy rains and floods. “But there is no gene for climate adaptation”, says Iris Strutzmann.
AK demands
- Freedom of choice for consumers: Food and feed produced through new genetic engineering processes must be labeled as genetically modified products to ensure freedom of choice for consumers.
- Adherence to the precautionary principle also for new genetically engineered products: before being approved for the market, food and feed must be checked for risks to human health and the environment
Questions and contact:
Vienna Chamber of Labor
julian bruns
06641525111
[email protected]
http://wien.arbeiterkammer.at/