News archive

High level of awareness and trust in "Ohne Gentechnik"

Almost all consumers are familiar with the "Ohne Gentechnik" (Non GMO) label. Trust in the label is also high, according to a recent study it ranks 5th after the Organic, Vegan, Bioland and Demeter labels.

Tegut is first ENGA member from the food retail sector

The [German] Tegut supermarket chain is the first corporate member from the food retail sector in the new European "Ohne Gentechnik" association ENGA (European Non-GMO Industry Association). This further strengthens the voice of this important economic sector in Brussels.

More than 70,000 comments on EU’s GMO deregulation plans

More than 70,000 EU citizens, associations and organizations took the opportunity to comment publicly on the EU Commission's GMO deregulation plans. In this context, VLOG, among others, warned once again of the major economic risks of such deregulation for the “Ohne Gentechnik” [Non-GMO] sector.

Great Britain's roadmap for the deregulation of genetic engineering

The British government now wants to apply Brexit to genetic engineering regulations as well. Plants developed with new genetic engineering are soon to be exempted from regulations on genetic engineering. This is intended to strengthen the UK's role as one of the leading countries for genetic engineering research. British farmers and food exporters are facing hard times.

Switzerland extends moratorium - also for new genetic engineering

The Swiss National Council has voted to extend the moratorium on genetic engineering, which has been in place since 2005, until the end of 2025. The approval of this second chamber of parliament is considered certain. The moratorium now also explicitly applies to new genetic engineering methods. Motions to exempt these had been rejected by a large majority in the National Council.

"Climate eggs" through local soy feed

If egg laying hens are fed with local soy instead of imported soy from South America, the climate impact of their eggs shrinks by 41 percent. Soy cultivation in Europe has great potential and can be a component in securing GMO-free feeding, which is currently burdened by high prices for imported soy.

Authority apparently informed U.S. GMO manufacturer about VLOG "campaign"

The German Federal Agency of Consumer Protection and Food Safety [Deutsches Bundesamt für Verbraucherschutz und Lebensmittelsicherheit – BVL], responsible, among other topics, for genetic engineering checks in food and feed, informed the U.S. GM seed company Cibus in April about an alleged "new campaign" by the Association Food without Genetic Engineering [Verband Lebensmittel ohne Gentechnik – VLOG], according to a report of German news magazine DER SPIEGEL.

"Ohne Gentechnik" umbrella organization ENGA grows

The new European umbrella organization of the European "Ohne Gentechnik" [Non-GMO] sector ENGA (European Non-GMO Industry Association) has already gained seven new members since its foundation. Further companies and associations who care about transparency and freedom of choice in GMO-free matters and who want to exert direct influence in Brussels, where the decisive course of GMO policy is set, are welcome!

"Bundestag" elections: Almost two-thirds oppose easing of genetic engineering rules

Nearly two-thirds of German voters (65 percent) oppose easing the rules for approval and labeling of plants derived from new genetic engineering techniques such as CRISPR. This was the result of a representative survey commissioned by VLOG. For 43 percent of respondents, the issue of genetic engineering in the field and on the plate plays an important role in the 2021 German federal elections [Bundestagswahl], and for 22 percent it is even "very important."

Changeover: "Ohne GenTechnik" to become a certification mark

The "Ohne GenTechnik" seal will be changed to the new brand category "Gewährleistungsmarke" ["certification mark"] for independent standard issuers. All "Ohne GenTechnik" licensees will be asked to sign a new license agreement for this purpose. They have already been informed directly.

German Retailers Association BVLH calls for regulation and detection methods for new genetic engineering

The National Association of German Food Retailers (Bundesverband des Deutschen Lebensmittelhandels - BVLH) has now commented even twice on the subject of new genetic engineering: it is calling on the upcoming German government to focus vigorously on detection procedures. In view of the recently presented report of the EU Commission, it is clearly against deregulation.

3:3 on genetic engineering in "Bundestag" election manifestos

Genetic engineering is a topic in all the manifestos of the parties represented in the German Parliament [Bundestag] - mostly by exact term, sometimes also slightly veiled. Three of them are against genetic engineering on fields and plates and support regulating new technologies such as CRISPR, while three more or less clearly support its use and deregulation.

Aldi Initiative: more animal welfare also means less genetic engineering

Aldi has announced that by 2030 it will only offer fresh meat from husbandry categories 3 and 4. In addition to better husbandry, more space and outdoor exercise, this also means more "Ohne Gentechnik“ [Non-GMO]. This is because only non-GMO feed is allowed from husbandry category 3 and up. REWE and Edeka have announced that they will follow Aldi's example.

"Future commission“ supports regulation of new genetic engineering

The Commission for the Future of Agriculture ("Zukunftskommission Landwirtschaft" - ZKL) emphasizes the great importance of GMO-free production in Germany and freedom of choice for consumers and calls for the regulation of new genetic engineering methods such as CRISPR, including risk assessment and approval, taking into account the precautionary principle.

German Green Party in favour of regulation and labelling of new GMO

In their election manifesto, which has now been adopted at the national party conference, the Greens have clearly declared their support for the regulation and labelling of old and new GMOs. GMO-free production and consumers' freedom of choice shall be protected.

Green-conservative coalition government: German state of Baden-Wuerttemberg to remain GMO-free

In their new coalition agreement, the Greens and the CDU (Christian Democrats, conservative party) have committed themselves to “GMO free”. GM plants will not be cultivated in the southwest German state in the future either. The same rules are to apply to new GMOs as to "old" GMOs.

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Sönke Guttenberg

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Fax: +49 30 2359 945 01
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