Brussels, Belgium. A historic decision by the European Union’s trilogue parties.
After lengthy negotiations, the European Commission, the European Council, and the European Parliament, known as the European Union’s trilogue parties, agreed last December on a compromise regarding the regulation of new genetic technologies (NGT). The proposed text provides for the deregulation of around 94 percent of all plants modified with NGT—with alarming consequences for consumers and for farms that operate according to the principles of organic farming.
The most important points in the text include the patenting of genetically modified plants, an accelerated approval process without comprehensive risk assessment, and the elimination of mandatory labeling of such foods. The majority of plants modified with NGT would thus be treated in the same way as conventionally bred plants, and when shopping, it would be almost impossible to tell whether a food product had been produced using genetic engineering or not. This is a historic decision: Europe has long been seen as the last continent whose agriculture is almost free of genetic engineering. The trilogue parties justify their decision, among other things, by arguing that genetically modified plants will play an important role in food security; however, neither research nor experience can substantiate this claim. Critics see the deregulation of NGTs as undermining the precautionary principle that has applied to date and as posing a massive threat to food sovereignty and consumer choice.
The consequences for agricultural businesses are also far-reaching. The proposed trilogue text makes no mention of protective measures for businesses that do not wish to participate in the use of NGTs. Although it provides for a code of conduct for patent holders, critics expect nothing more than non-binding reminders to show consideration for smaller breeders. Associations for biodynamic and organic agriculture emphasize that it is now even more important to be well-positioned in NGT-independent plant breeding and seed production. They are also appealing to the European Parliament and the European Council, which still have to approve the draft in the spring, not to do so. Furthermore, they are calling on consumers to make their voices heard against genetic engineering in petitions and letters to politicians.
Sources Demeter, Taz, Editor’s Network Germany, and Tagesschau
Translation Charles Cross
Image Wouter Supardi Salari
