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Products sold for over 13 billion euros: Maintaining the successful "Ohne Gentechnik" label

06/08/2022 - Consumers spent around 13.2 billion euros on "Ohne Gentechnik" (Non-GMO) products in Germany in 2021, 4.3 percent more than in the previous year. Therefore, the label remains on a winning streak in its 13th year. Current challenges include possibly new EU GMO rules and deliberately stoked uncertainties around the issue of feed availability.

After many years of double-digit growth, "Ohne Gentechnik" is now entering a consolidation phase of moderate increase. In the case of dairy products, eggs and poultry meat, products bearing the green diamond seal have now reached high market shares. In contrast, there is still a significant growth potential in beef and pork.

"The figures show that 'Ohne Gentechnik' products continue to be highly popular with consumers," explains Alexander Hissting, Managing Director of the German Association for Food without Genetic Engineering (VLOG).

German Ministers Özdemir and Lemke: Beware of softening rules on genetic engineering!

"We also see this as a mandate to keep our proven seal on its winning streak. To this end, the EU's genetic engineering rules must not be softened. German Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir and Environment Minister Steffi Lemke must insist on this in Brussels. And every individual and every business can demonstrate this to the EU Commission by joining the official participation procedure, or in the new EU-wide petition 'Not behind our Backs'.

Market uncertainties are dishonestly fomented and exploited

Another challenge are high prices for animal feed as well as market uncertainties caused by the Ukraine war. Some are unfortunately using this situation dishonestly to question the 'Ohne Gentechnik' label - as well as other environmental and sustainability standards. We oppose this clearly, in close exchange with our partners and based on facts. The availability of non-GMO protein feed is a given - that much is clear by now. No one has to opt out of the system."

"Ohne Gentechnik": 70 percent dairy products

In 2021, milk and dairy products continued to account for the largest share of the 13.2 billion euros in consumer spending on "Ohne Gentechnik" products, with 9.3 billion euros (70 percent). Poultry meat products accounted for 2.3 billion euros (17 percent), eggs 1.1 billion euros (8 percent) and other products 0.5 billion euros (4 percent).

Forecast 2022 more difficult to calculate

The figures are based on information provided by the licensees of the "Ohne GenTechnik" label plus a flat trade margin and value-added tax. According to forecasts from current licensees, "Ohne Gentechnik" sales would increase again by 4.2 percent in 2022. The figures were submitted in January and February 2022. As a result, it was not possible to take into account the possible effects of the war in Ukraine, the misinformation associated with it, and the uncertainty that was stirred up unnecessarily.

The legal basis for the seal is provided by the EC Genetic Engineering Implementation Act (EGGenTDurchfG). In 2009, the then German Federal Minister of Agriculture Ilse Aigner (CSU Party) had the uniform "Ohne GenTechnik" label designed. In 2010, she transferred its licensing and monitoring exclusively to VLOG. The German Association for Food without Genetic Engineering (VLOG) represents around 760 food producers and retailers as well as the upstream and downstream sectors of food production. It issues licenses for the use of the uniform "Ohne GenTechnik" seal for foods produced without genetic engineering.

BÖLW: Petition "Not behind our Backs - No free pass for new genetic engineering in our food" (in German)

Informationsdienst Gentechnik: Europe-wide petition for strict genetic engineering legislation launched (in German)

Biased questions: EU consultation launched on new genetic engineering

EU Commission: Public consultation on legislation for plants produced by certain new genomic techniques

Sufficient GMO-free rapeseed available: Adequate payment for quality!