Path clears for tough new labelling legislation
arrival of some of the toughest GMO legislation in the world when
environment ministers in the European Union agreed on Monday to
comprehensive new rules.
European Union environment ministers agreed on Monday on comprehensive new rules on the traceability and labelling of food containing genetically modified organisms (GMOs). If passed by the European parliament it will open the way to lifting a ban on GMO products imposed in 1999 by seven of the 15 member states.
Welcoming the agreement, European environment commissioner Margot Wallström said: "The people of Europe want to be fully informed about the use of GMOs in food, feed and agricultural production.
It is our responsibility as policy makers to show strong political leadership and do what is necessary to ensure a high level of environmental protection as well as safety and consumer choice. This is essential if Europe is to reap the potential benefits of GMOs and biotechnology."
The Commissioner added : "If we are to make acceptance of GMO products possible in the European Union then we must restore public and market confidence.
In order to do so, we must provide consumers with an effective choice between GMO and non-GMO products. Labelling and traceability of GMO products will enable them to choose".
The agreement means that these national measures will be replaced by common measures throughout the EU under this proposal when it takes effect.
Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Greece, Italy and Luxembourg currently have a ban on the cultivation of GMO crops. The new agreement means that these national measures will be replaced by common measures throughout the EU under this proposal when it takes effect.
Under the new Directive, when operators throughout the production and distribution chains are handling products that contain GMOs they will have to provide this information to the next operator in the chain to provide for traceability.
Spurned by the food industry as leaving the industry open to fraud due to the extension of the paper trail, the new rules will demand efficient enforcement from the EU and national food safety bodies. Without this, the consumer will be more, not less, vulnerable.
