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New genetic engineering proposal not helpful

Photo: Christophe Licoppe, © European Union 2022

“The new proposal from Poland does not help to make progress on the issue of new genetic engineering. It still lacks complete labeling and risk assessment for all types of new genetic engineering, as well as workable regulations on liability and coexistence. This proposal is just as ineffective for 'Ohne Gentechnik' (Non-GMO) and organic farming and the entire food industry as its predecessors."

"Cem Özdemir has committed himself to protecting the GMO-free market and he must therefore not agree to this proposal. The Federal Minister of Agriculture should also encourage his counterparts from the other EU Member States to continue to work with him for real improvements in the interests of consumers and the food industry,” says Sönke Guttenberg, Head of Media and Public Relations at the German Association for Food without Genetic Engineering (VLOG).

The new proposal from Poland focuses primarily on the controversial aspect of patenting - presumably with the aim of persuading other EU Member States to agree and thus achieve the necessary qualified majority for the deregulation of genetic engineering. However, even the new proposals on the patent issue appear unconvincing at first glance, hardly practicable and not legally secure. The Polish proposal is to be discussed in the Council working group in Brussels on 20 January 2025.

The Polish Council Presidency's proposal of 7 January 2025 has been made available to VLOG.