News
The European Non-GMO Industry Association (ENGA) turns 5!
On 24 June 2020, the new EU association was founded by VLOG and the Austrian ARGE Gentechnikfrei. Since then, its members now include other associations and corporations from the food industry in the EU and North America. Creating a European "Ohne Gentechnik" (Non-GMO) industry association was an obvious step, as fundamental decisions on GMO regulation are made in Brussels on the EU level. This has been even more true since the start of the ongoing deregulation process for new genetic engineering (NGT).
Key topics: NGT deregulation, harmonisation of standards
ENGA's main concern is to ensure that regulations are in place to guarantee that NGT products can continue to be reliably kept out of "Non-GMO" supply chains and products. As the European lobby of the national "Non-GMO" industries, ENGA also advocates uniform legal regulations and harmonisation of European control standards for "Non-GMO" labelling of food and feed. A uniform European standard would benefit retailers and manufacturers, for whom the current patchwork of nationally differing production and monitoring standards would make it more difficult for them to comply.
Recognised and important player in Brussels
By now, ENGA has become a recognised and important player in Brussels, successfully making its voice heard in politics, EU authorities and the media. Whatever form a possible new NGT regulation may take, without ENGA it would have been almost impossible to feed the interests of "Non-GMO" so well and comprehensively into the EU legislative process.
ENGA's business is managed by Secretary General Heike Moldenhauer. The honorary board currently consists of Florian Faber (ARGE Gentechnik-frei), Emese Van Maanen (ProTerra), Birgit Ohler (A. Loacker Spa/AG), Wolfgang Ahammer (VFI Oils for Life GmbH) and Alexander Hissting (VLOG).
Success story ENGA: More companies and industry associations welcome
After just five years, ENGA has become a real success story. Other companies and associations from the "Non-GMO" sector that would like to participate may join ENGA as members and thus help to make the association's voice heard even better. Further information is available on the ENGA website and in the ENGA newsletter.