News archive

Greenpeace pressures major retailers regarding new genetic engineering

In 2021, many European retailers have clearly spoken out against the deregulation of new genetic engineering in a joint resolution. Greenpeace has now inquired with those who have not yet signed.

EU MPs: Promote genetic engineering detection and risk research!

31 delegates from five political groups in the European Parliament have called on the EU Commission in an open letter to promote risk and detection research for new genetic engineering processes.

European Danube Soya booming

The production of GMO-free soybeans certified by Danube Soya and Europe Soya surged by an enormous 49 percent in 2021. This means that in 2021, 10 percent of the European soybean harvest already met the standard that is recognised also by VLOG.

Baden-Wuerttemberg: No more GMO contamination found in harvest monitoring

No GMO contaminants were found in the routine 2021 harvest monitoring in the state of Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany. In the previous year, a detection in linseed had far-reaching consequences.

England: Genetic engineering deregulation for research only for now

The announced deregulation for certain new genetic engineering processes in England after Brexit is taking shape. Initially, it will apply "only" to research. For commercial cultivation and use in food and feed, approval procedures and labelling will remain in place.

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 organisations 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 organisation ENGA grows

The new European umbrella organisation 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.

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