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Originator of the "Ohne GenTechnik" seal Ilse Aigner: "Let's dare to be more transparent"
Welcoming speech from Ilse Aigner at the VLOG .:. Forum 2024, Photo: Concept Photography Berlin
Ilse Aigner addressed her opening message, here in the original wording, in a video to the guests of the VLOG anniversary on 20 June 2024 in Berlin.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I am touched that you have thought of me. It's been 15 years since we launched the 'Ohne GenTechnik' seal. And at the same time, of course, I am very pleased, because I actually think about the 'Ohne GenTechnik' seal surprisingly often. That is, whenever I hold one of the around 14,000 food products in my hand that show the seal. That's when I hear the phrase that people always like to say when older people look at the children of the past: "Oh, how big it's grown!" Yes, back then I was a midwife in some way.
If there was a motto for my time as Federal Consumer Protection Minister, it was probably: Let's dare to be more transparent! I still firmly believe in the freedom of citizens to make their own decisions. I have always struggled a little with educational instruction, with dirigiste intervention, with governmental prohibition. But that also means that if we want to make a positive difference, we need to broaden the base for decision-making. Inform and create transparency. And consumers will then know how to set their priorities and make a good choice. I have confidence in you.
Back then, 15 years ago, it was a baby, a seal in the early stages of development. But this development then took a rapid course, as hoped. So that it soon no longer needed the government's impetus. Today, the seal is supported by the economy and fully accepted by consumers. It can be found on all shelves, and dairy products, in particular, display the seal with pleasing regularity. Sales have also grown steadily. I really must say that we have come out of the niche and today it is a mass product in the very best sense of the word. The development of the 'Ohne GenTechnik' (Non-GMO) seal is an outstanding success story in which we have all played a part, or in other words, we have made it: The former baby has learnt to walk."
"I can still remember the debates back then very well, critics liked to talk about a flood of labelling. Of course, labelling is not a strict ban, and for some people the seal didn't go far enough. However, in the spirit of clarity and truth, I have always thought highly of food labelling if it contains correct, reliable and meaningful information, if it works with certification according to concrete rules. And without a doubt, this is the 'Ohne GenTechnik' seal, which has become a decisive factor.
Admittedly, I have followed it from a distance and, unfortunately, I cannot be with you today, although I would have liked to be. However, I appreciate all the more what VLOG has achieved over the years for the success of the seal and the role VLOG also plays as a networker across national borders. You create clarity, you guarantee GMO-free food and you win over people and markets. You have every reason to celebrate and so I wish you a lively exchange in the Forum and a glittering festive evening."
With regard to the current plans of the EU Commission, Hissting commented: "If Ms Aigner had not launched the seal 15 years ago, it would now be high time, in view of the threat of deregulation of new genetic engineering and thus a possibly dramatic gap in the statutory 'With Genetic Engineering' labelling".
With the Berchtesgadener Land dairy, which has been an "Ohne GenTechnik" seal user from the very beginning, VLOG was able to gain an ideal and particularly authentic partner for the seal anniversary and all associated events. REWE Group and Ariana Laboratories were sponsors of the VLOG forum, while other supporters included Tegut, Wiesenhof, Planton, Schwarzwaldmilch and TÜV Süd. The Berchtesgadener Land dairy was also the exclusive partner of VLOG at the evening reception, with Wiesenhof and TÜV Süd as additional supporters.
