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VLOG at Anuga 2023: Successful trade show appearance
Cem Özdemir and Alexander Hissting at Anuga 2023
From 7 to 11 October 2023, the German Association for Food without Genetic Engineering (VLOG) was once again a guest at the Anuga fair in Cologne with its own booth as part of the "Retail Forum" of the Federal Association of the German Retail Grocery Trade e.V. (Bundesverband des Lebensmittelhandels – BVLH).
Özdemir pledges support for GMO-free coexistence
Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir visited the VLOG booth as part of his opening tour and pointed out once again in conversation with VLOG Managing Director Alexander Hissting, he will not agree to any changes to EU genetic engineering regulations that would not guarantee the coexistence of different forms of cultivation and would lead to an expansion of seed patenting. "We would like to thank Cem Özdemir for his promised support and will take him at his word when it comed to the topic of genetic engineering in Brussels," says Alexander Hissting.
EU Commission plans threaten the absence of genetic engineering
The EU Commission's plans to deregulate genetic engineering were also discussed at an Anuga panel discussion with Cem Özdemir and representatives of several organic associations. The organic sector emphasised to the Minister the importance of absence of genetic engineering - and that the current Commission proposal poses an immediate threat to this.
At another Anuga event organised by VLOG together with the Association of Organic Food Processors (AöL), a number of businesses appealed to politicians in Brussels and Berlin to retain the current comprehensive GMO labelling.
"Ohne Gentechnik" [Non-GMO] prominently present at Anuga 2023
Compared to Anuga 2021, which took place with some covid-related restrictions, there were significantly more discussions and contacts with old and potential new partners in 2023. Among other things, VLOG specifically approached manufacturers of meat substitute products at Anuga 2023 to inform them about the possibilities and potential of the "Ohne GenTechnik" seal. The new, even clearer booth design contributed to the fact that "Ohne Gentechnik" was a clearly visible topic at Anuga 2023.
Anuga 2023: Manufacturers and retailers call for the preservation of GMO labelling
Survey on Anuga 2023: "Ohne GenTechnik" should not include any new genetic engineering either