VLOG Newsletter March 2024: VLOG - Verband Lebensmittel ohne Gentechnik e.V.

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VLOG Newsletter 02/24 .:. March

Dear readers,

In 2024, the "Ohne GenTechnik" seal will be 15 years old. It was launched in 2009 by the then Federal Minister of Agriculture, Ilse Aigner. We would like to celebrate this milestone anniversary in style - we would be delighted if you would join us!

Our seal is celebrating its anniversary with new record sales. At the same time, the debate on the future regulation of genetic engineering in the EU continues. Its outcome will certainly have an impact on the successful "Ohne GenTechnik" model - what exactly this will look like remains to be seen.

Next week, the EU agriculture ministers will once again address this issue. However, it seems unlikely that a decision will be made before the EU elections. A report by the French food safety authority Anses, which has been kept under wraps for months, recently called the EU's plans to deregulate genetic engineering into question.

We wish you a very happy Easter and look forward to our joint "Ohne GenTechnik" anniversary!

Your VLOG team

15 years "Ohne GenTechnik" seal: Record sales on the anniversary

In 2023, around 17.4 billion euros were spent on "Ohne GenTechnik" (Non-GMO) food in Germany. This year, the seal is celebrating its 15th anniversary.

VLOG .:. Forum on 20 June 2024: 15 years of the "Ohne GenTechnik" seal

To mark the 15th anniversary of the "Ohne GenTechnik" seal, there will be an extended special edition of our expert conference VLOG .:. Forum, on 20 June 2024 from 1 to 5 pm at the event location "Wartehalle" in Berlin. A review and outlook for "Ohne GenTechnik", presentations and discussions on prospects for the seal, the current status of the EU GMO re-regulation debate, new GMO detection research and the corporate initiative for freedom of choice in genetic engineering in food are planned. The VLOG .:. Forum is also an excellent opportunity to network with around one hundred participants from the food and feed industry, politics, associations and the media. Details of the programme and how to register will follow in April. We are delighted to have the Berchtesgadener Land dairy at our side as an anniversary partner. Further sponsors and supporters are still welcome!

Good availability of GMO-free raw materials in Europe

Thanks to good harvests in the previous year, the demand for GMO-free maize, soya and rapeseed expected in 2024 can be easily met. This is shown in the latest market report from the European Non-GMO Industry Association (ENGA).

Vote on genetic engineering: Yes to transparency – No to risk assessment and coexistence

A narrow majority in the European Parliament (EP) has voted in favour of the extensive abolition of coexistence regulations and risk assessment for genetic engineering in food. This is bad news for agriculture and the environment. At least new genetic engineering products are to remain labelled.

Good prospects for European soybean harvest in 2024

The Austrian organisation Donau Soja sees the best conditions for a successful 2024 cultivation year and forecasts a good GMO-free soybean harvest in Europe.

EU vote: Businesses call for preservation of GMO labelling

272 food businesses are calling on MEPs of the conservative EPP group in the European Parliament to vote in favour of preserving labelling and freedom of choice for GM foods on 7 February 2024. The business initiative, which was only launched in January, is growing rapidly.

VLOG .:. Forum 2024 and
15 years "Ohne Gentechnik" celebration
20 June 2024, Wartehalle, Berlin/Germany

Non-GMO Summit 2024
7-8 October 2024, Frankfurt am Main/Germany

New "Ohne GenTechnik" seal user

- Norager Mejeri A/S

New "VLOG geprüft" seal user

- AGRO-MATT BUDZYNOVSKYI Sp. K.

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