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

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VLOG Newsletter 06/24 .:. October

Dear readers,

In the Consumer Monitor of the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), genetic engineering in food has been one of the topics that consumers have been concerned about with regard to their health for years. This year's results confirm this once again.

Concerns about new genetic engineering are also reflected in politics. The Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the European Union asked all Member States in a Non-Paper about open questions regarding the new regulation of new genetic engineering and some countries expressed their criticism of the EU Commission's deregulation plans in great detail. Findings of contaminated organic rice from Pakistan, which could originate from a single release trial that took place over 20 years ago, show how long GM plants can pose a risk.

Hungary's Minister of Agriculture Nagy and German BMEL State Secretary Bender also clearly criticised the deregulation plans, which do not comply with the precautionary principle, in their speeches at the International Non-GMO Summit 2024 in Frankfurt. The congress, which featured high-calibre speakers, attracted participants from 23 countries and four continents, reflecting the global explosiveness of the topic as well as the economic importance of the Non-GMO sector and emphasising the industry's demands.

Anyone who was unable to attend the Summit can find detailed information in the final report. We have also summarised individual presentations in news items. You can find a photo gallery on the Non-GMO Summit website.

We wish you an interesting read!
Your VLOG team

BfR Consumer Monitor: Two thirds are concerned about genetic engineering in food

In the Consumer Monitor published by the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), genetic engineering in food has been one of the best-known topics for consumers for years, causing them concern about their health.

Status quo and prospects for new genetic engineering regulations

At the International Non-GMO Summit 2024, Dr Dietmar Vybiral from the Austrian Ministry of Health provided an up-to-date overview of the controversial draft for a new EU GMO regulation and possible developments under the upcoming Council presidencies.

Hardly any NGT plants ready-to-market worldwide, hardly any climate-resilient varieties

At the International Non-GMO Summit 2024 in Frankfurt, Germany, Dr Samson Simon from the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN) provided an up-to-date overview of market-ready and planned NGT plants in Europe and worldwide.

Traces of genetic engineering in organic rice - The story of a traceability investigation

In July 2023, the food safety monitoring authorities in the German state of Hesse discovered genetic engineering contamination in a sample of organic basmati rice from Pakistan. The source could be an experimental release in 2001. The case was only reported to the EU alert system with a delay of over a year.

Non-GMO Summit 2024: international Non-GMO industry calls for transparency on NGTs and fair cooperation throughout the whole value chain

More than 160 representatives from a thriving international Non-GMO industry and leading European associations from 23 countries and four continents met on 7th and 8th October 2024 at the ‘International Non-GMO Summit 2024’ in Frankfurt. Operators across the full Non-GMO value chain are united in battling the current challenges posed by the planned deregulation of New Genomic Techniques, as proposed by the EU Commission. The participants at the Summit gave a clear message for freedom of choice and transparency.

EU Member States position themselves regarding Hungarian NGT paper

The statements of 15 EU Member States in an informal enquiry by the Hungarian Council Presidency on the unresolved issues relating to the deregulation of new genetic engineering techniques (NGT) have been published. The NGT supporters insist on the tried arguments, while the opponents of deregulation introduce new aspects. One country unexpectedly changes its position.

DARWIN presentation video released

The DARWIN project has released an official presentation video outlining the aims and methods of its research work. The EU-funded project aims to develop detection methods for plant-based products obtained through New Genomic Techniques (NGT) and to realise traceability solutions. The video can be found on the DARWIN website and on YouTube.

Optimisation of the product database

To make the “Ohne GenTechnik” product database easier to use, the product search has been expanded with new functions. There is now the option of a free text search within a search category, which can be used to filter or search for the desired product groups, brands or companies more quickly and specifically. Furthermore, all products of a brand will be displayed in full in the overview in future. This means that the total number of products of a brand is also visible.

Significant changes to the VLOG Standard V25.01

The VLOG Standard Version 25.01 was published on 1 September 2024 and will be mandatory from 1 January 2025. Summaries of the main changes and a Standard version in which these are highlighted can be found on our website in the "Revision documents and information" section. In addition to standardisations and clarifications at all stages, the following significant changes are included:

Significant changes to the VLOG Standard V25.01 - Logistics stage

2-year audit interval possible for QS-certified dropshippers as with QS (Z 3.4) and when transferring feed to "VLOG geprüft" quality: Addition of the requirement point incoming goods inspection (B 6.2).

Significant changes to the VLOG Standard V25.01 - Feed Manufacturing stage

Addition in stage definition (C 1) to include conversion of feed material not subject to compulsory labelling present at the (production) site to "VLOG geprüft" quality and subsequent marketing and the transport, storage and handling of VLOG-certified feed material or compound feed manufactured, processed or converted at the (production) site. If no further activities of the Logistics stage are carried out, the additional certification of the Logistics stage may be omitted. Specification: Feed additives must also be considered in the risk analysis (C 2.4). For Mobile Grinding and Mixing Facilities: Specification of the requirements regarding carryover tests upon start of VLOG production and in subsequent years (C 4.2).

Significant changes to the VLOG Standard V25.01 - Agriculture stage

Delation of the mandatory certification for rearing farms/stock farms for cattle and other animal species (e.g. bees, game, rabbits) (E1) and for animal purchases, clarification of the minimum feeding conversion period and necessary evidence (E 4.8).

Significant changes to the VLOG Standard V25.01 - Group Organisation stage

From 2026, the elimination of the annual reporting requirement for the stable space overview (F 2.2.3) and evaluation of analysis results (F 2.6.6).

Significant changes to the VLOG Standard V25.01 - Food Processing/Preparation stage

New minimum sample quantity for honey: 200 g (G 3.1.2) and addition of content for rice, salmon filet and salmon products from the previous document "Risk-Prone Raw Materials/Ingredients" (G 3.1.2, G 3.1.3, omission of G 4).

Standard dokument "Suitability of Testing for GMOs" extended

VLOG has updated the document "Suitability of Testing for GMOs in Raw Materials, Feed- and Food Ingredients" in the VLOG Standard. Rice starch and papaya mousse have been added to the "Products/feed that can be tested" section and an explanation of the abbreviation pLOD (practical limit of detection) has been added.

Green Week 2025
17-26 January 2025, Trade Fair, Berlin, Germany

New "Ohne GenTechnik" seal user

- Hof Lühts

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