Member States reject proposed rules for new genetic engineering – victory achieved, danger not yet avoided
Vienna (OTS) – At today's meeting of EU member states' agriculture ministers in Brussels, there was no majority in favor of the European Commission's proposal for the deregulation of new genetic engineering (NGT). BIO AUSTRIA President Barbara Riegler is pleased with this: “It is an important sign and good news for consumers and farmers that Member States have rejected the current draft. Because with the de facto deregulation it contains, it represents a danger for the “whole GMO-free agriculture is at stake. For Austria, the quality strategy and the continued existence of the much-cited Austrian delicatessen are at stake, to which the high proportion of organic farming contributes significantly.”
Many Member States clearly highlighted at the meeting the need to not allow NGT in organic farming, while highlighting that this can only be possible in practice through traceability, labeling and coexistence measures for all NGT. At the same time, many Member States have also pointed out the danger for farmers of patenting genetic resources. BIO AUSTRIA welcomes this clear position and the fact that Austria has also clearly expressed this position.
Today's vote represents a stage victory, but the danger of deregulation has not yet been avoided. The Spanish Presidency of the Council announced that it will continue negotiating until the end of the year and will find a majority in favor of deregulation. The European Parliament will decide its position in January 2024. “It is still important that everyone involved defends the freedom of choice of consumers and farmers and guarantees traceability, risk assessment and labeling for all NGT,” concluded Riegler.
About BIO AUSTRIA:
BIO AUSTRIA is the network of Austrian organic farmers. As the largest organic association in Europe, BIO AUSTRIA represents Austrian organic farming and represents the interests of organic farmers. The association also has almost 500 partner companies in the economy. More information can be found at www.bio-austria.at
Questions and contact:
ORGANIC AUSTRIA
Markus Leithner, MSc.
Press spokesperson
+43 676 842 214 214
[email protected]