VLOG Newsletter April 2025: VLOG - Verband Lebensmittel ohne Gentechnik e.V.

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VLOG Newsletter 02/25 .:. April

Dear readers,

2025 is an eventful year in every respect, including for “Ohne Gentechnik” (Non-GMO). Now that the EU Member States have agreed on a totally inadequate position on the deregulation of genetic engineering, the European Parliament's Environment Committee (ENVI) is expected to kick off the EU trilogue negotiations between the Commission, Parliament and Council of Ministers on 8 April.

At the beginning of March, the Business Initiative for Freedom of Choice met with an open ear when it handed over its Open Letter to Cem Özdemir, who is still the German Minister of Agriculture, in Stuttgart. But his days in office are numbered, as we all know. How will the upcoming coalition of the parties CDU-CSU and SPD deal with the issue of genetic engineering and the deregulation process? So far, the draft texts in the coalition agreement are controversial and divided.

We will know more about this in the summer and also get to know the new German Minister of Agriculture. The EU negotiations are then expected to be in the hot phase. A good time for our VLOG .:. Forum 2025 on 3 July, at which we would be delighted to welcome you to Berlin.

We wish you a sunny start to spring and interesting reading!
Your VLOG team

Mandate for new government coalition: 94 percent want NGT labelling

According to a study by the German government, 94 percent of adults in Germany want mandatory labelling for new genetic engineering (NGT) in food. The new German government must take this seriously and enforce it in Brussels.

Özdemir supports demands for freedom of choice and coexistence

German Minister of Agriculture Cem Özdemir has received the Open Letter from the business initiative "Food Industry for Freedom of Choice on Genetic Engineering in Food" in Stuttgart, Germany, on 7 March 2025. The minister promised the Managing Directors of dm, Alnatura and other signatories to support their demands.

11 German states want to abolish genetic engineering labelling

At the Agriculture Ministers' Conference in German state Baden-Baden, a number of German states called for the labelling requirements for new genetic engineering in food to be abolished, expressly contradicting the European Parliament. This is a slap in the face for consumers and the food industry. The state governments must now explain and correct this.

NGT deregulation: Council of Ministers majority in favour of inadequate position

After more than a year and a half, the EU Member States have agreed on a common position on the deregulation of new genetic engineering (NGT). This is unlikely to be the hoped-for breakthrough, as there are still no regulations on labelling requirements and coexistence. The food industry and consumers will not accept this.

New cooperation between VLOG and ZKHL simplifies the seal usage

With immediate effect, VLOG is taking over the tasks of a co-operating inspection system for the ZKHL for assigning the "Good products from German agriculture" label of origin. This significantly reduces the workload for businesses.

Save the Date: VLOG .:. Forum 3 July 2025

On the morning of 3 July, this year's “Ohne Gentechnik” conference VLOG .:. Forum 2025 will take place at the Hotel Rossi in Berlin, Germany. We will once again be highlighting and discussing current developments relating to “Ohne Gentechnik“. What will happen in July with the EU consultations on the deregulation of new genetic engineering, which will soon enter the hot phase? What is the position of the new German government, the specialised politicians and the parliamentary groups in the new Bundestag? What legal effects will deregulation have on our sector and how can we counter them? We are working on an exciting agenda for you. Save the date! Please note that the event will only be held in German.

FAQ on certification updated

We have updated our certification FAQ on the current VLOG Standard V25.01. Of particular importance is the new regulation on conducting VLOG audits in the last period of validity of the VLOG certificate in FAQ No. Z2: "If the auditing contract is terminated (...), a final (routine) audit is generally not carried out in the last year of validity of the VLOG certificate (...)".

Online discussion: “NGTs - What's at stake in labelling and traceability?”
8 April 2025, online, information and registration
With Christophe Clergeau MdEP and Martin Häusling MdEP, Dr Georg Buchholz, Kerstin Erbe, Wolfgang Ahammer and Olivier Andrault. Moderation: Heike Moldenhauer
The event will be offered in English, German and French with simultaneous interpretation.

VLOG .:. Forum 2025
3 July 2025, Hotel Rossi, Berlin, Germany

New "Ohne GenTechnik" seal users

- De Fryske BV

- EMP Milchhof Prenzlau GmbH

- Vorarlberg Milch eGen

New "VLOG geprüft" seal users

- Reiner Harles Agrarhandel

Verband Lebensmittel ohne Gentechnik e.V. (VLOG)
Association Food without Genetic Engineering

Friedrichstrasse 153a
10117 Berlin
Germany

Tel.: +49 (0)30 2359 945 00
Fax.: +49 (0)30 2359 945 01

www.ohnegentechnik.org
info@ohnegentechnik.org