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Two years since the ECJ ruling: More consumer protection instead of more genetic engineering!

On 25 July 2020 it will be two years since the ruling by the European Court of Justice (ECJ) on new genetic engineering methods. In 2018 Europe’s highest judges made it clear: Even new genetic engineering is genetic engineering and is subject to the same rules on risk assessment, approval proceedings and labelling obligations. Agriculture Minister Julia Klöckner should now use Germany’s EU Council presidency for the consistent implementation of the ruling: for more consumer protection instead of more genetic engineering.

Klöckner wants to “dare try new genetic engineering”

In a guest article in the daily Tagesspiegel, Agriculture Minister Julia Klöckner is demanding a partial deregulation of genetically engineered plants. “For consumers there are no two types of genetic engineering,” comments VLOG Managing Director Alexander Hissting. “People want to know what’s in their food. If genetic engineering in food is concealed through the lack of labelling, that destroys trust in trade, the food sector and politics.” In their coalition agreement two years ago the CDU and the SPD had still announced “nationwide prohibitions on cultivation with genetic engineering”.

GMO-contaminated maize/corn seeds sold and grown

GMO-contaminated maize/corn seeds from a dealer in Lower Saxony were sown in several German federal states. German authorities were first made aware of the case by Hungarian inspectors. “There is obviously some catching up to do in the inspection system”, commented VLOG Managing Director, Alexander Hissting. “The ‘Ohne Gentechnik’ food industry relies on dependable protection from GMOs”.

Greens clearly in favour of regulating genetic engineering

The Green Fractions in the German and the European Parliament have issued position papers in which they come out clearly against any deregulation of new genetic engineering methods. That’s good news for consumers, the food industry and the booming German and European ‘Ohne Gentechnik’ business sector.

The EU’s ‘Farm to Fork’ strategy: Genetic engineering is not sustainable

The EU Commission’s new ‘Farm to Fork’ strategy includes addressing a possible role for ‘new innovative techniques’ such as biotechnology to strengthen sustainability and reduce pesticides. It also mentions an ongoing study by the Commission that will supposedly examine the potential of ‘new genomic techniques’ to improve sustainability in the food supply.

“Ohne GenTechnik” sales continue to grow

Producers and processors generated about EUR 8.8 billion in sales of goods with the “Ohne GenTechnik” seal in 2019. End customers spent about EUR 11.3 billion for these products in stores. This is a 15 percent increase over 2018. In 2020, consumer spending is likely to rise to at least EUR 11.8 billion.

Majority of Germans prefer “Ohne Gentechnik” label on foods

Politics, economics and consumer protection agree: Ten years of the government’s “Ohne GenTechnik” seal have been a complete success. 69 percent of the population in Germany prefer food with the “Ohne Gentechnik” label.

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