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Possible new EU regulations: Will GMO-free products soon be recognisable only by a seal?
Photo: Concept Photography Berlin
For the majority of plants produced using new genetic engineering techniques, known as "NGT 1", the current labelling requirement on final products would be abolished. Only the seeds would carry a corresponding label.
Alexander Hissting, Managing Director of the Association Food without Genetic Engineering (VLOG), explains: "The vast majority of consumers do not want genetically modified organisms in their food. Manufacturers and retailers know this, too. Even if the abolition of mandatory labelling ultimately were to go ahead, 'Ohne Gentechnik' and organic labels would continue to guarantee GMO-free food in the future - that much is certain. But all other players in the food industry have also been able to exclude genetic engineering from their products rather easily up to now. The necessary effort would be significantly greater in future, which would make food even more expensive. The new genetic engineering regulations would also drive up prices in supermarkets.
It is more than disappointing that the European Parliament's chief negotiator is so indifferent to the interests of consumers and the economy that she is now pushing through the abolition of labelling and many other genetic engineering regulations with the support of the political right and extreme right wing. This is in stark contrast to the position adopted by the Parliament in 2024, which she should have represented."
The outcome of the "Trilogue" negotiations has not yet become law. Both the European Parliament and the EU Member States still have to vote on it. Both bodies can still stop or amend the new regulations.
"The German government must finally throw its weight behind this issue and advocate for strong genetic engineering regulations and the retention of mandatory labelling. But the conservative EPP group in the European Parliament, too, must stop ignoring fundamental economic interests in this way. A response from EPP MEPs Manfred Weber, Jessica Polfjärd and Stefan Köhler to the open letter from Rewe, dm, Alnatura, denree and Rapunzel is still pending," said Alexander Hissting.
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