News
2023-12-15 | permalink
NGT proposal: serious disquiet among big supermarkets and environmental groups in 3 major EU countries
It is not always the case that major environmental groups and big supermarket chains have the same message to law makers, but in a growing swell of disquiet among influential NGOs and big retailers – it is clear that the political rush to agree a controversial deregulation of New Genomic Techniques (or New GMOs) is of serious concern in many EU countries (in this case France, Germany and Austria).
ENGA: NGT proposal: serious disquiet among big supermarkets and environmental groups in 3 major EU countries2023-12-15 | permalink
NGT deregulation proposal stumbles in Council, but not in Parliament's AGRI Committee
No qualified majority in AGRIFISH Council for Spanish presidency's proposal to widely deregulate NGTs
On 11 December 2023, the Spanish EU Council Presidency failed in its attempt to gain a sufficient majority of member states for a proposal to widely deregulate new GMOs (New Genomic Techniques or NGTs). According to a representative of the Spanish Presidency, they will now try to achieve a qualified majority during a meeting of EU ambassadors on 21 or 22 December. If no qualified majority for a common member states’ position is achieved under the Spanish term of office, the Belgian Presidency will take over from January 2024.
2023-12-15 | permalink
Genetically modified crops aren't a solution to climate change, despite what the biotech industry says
The European Commission launched a proposal in July 2023 to deregulate a large number of plants manufactured using new genetic techniques.
Despite extraordinary attempts by the Spanish presidency to force a breakthrough, EU members have not yet reached a consensus on this plan. But if the proposal were to be approved, these plants would be treated the same as conventional plants, eliminating the need for safety tests and the labelling of genetically modified food products.
2023-12-12 | permalink
No majority in favour of GMO deregulation among EU agriculture ministers
The Spanish EU Council Presidency has failed in its attempt to gain a sufficient majority of Member States in favour of genetic engineering deregulation in a rush job. This, at least, means a brief break in the debate.
Fast-track deregulation has failed for the moment
Alexander Hissting, Managing Director of the Association for Food without Genetic Engineering (VLOG) comments: "Fortunately, the attempt to fast-track the deregulation of genetic engineering has failed for now. The German Agricultural Minister Cem Özdemir rightly said very clearly during the vote in Brussels that the current plan would pose an existential threat to the billion-euro organic and 'Ohne Gentechnik' (Non-GMO) markets.
2023-12-12 | permalink
Spanish EU presidency pushes ahead with controversial plan to allow new GMOs to escape safety testing
Greenpeace EU media briefing – December 2023
The Spanish Presidency of the EU is pressing ahead with a European Commission plan to deregulate a new brand of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). EU agriculture ministers meeting on Sunday 10 December and Monday 11 December will be asked for their views on the plan, with the aim of achieving a common position for governments, ahead of negotiations with the European Parliament.
