Various European businesses advocate for the requirement of genetic labeling
Nearly 370 food corporations, including prominent entities like Rewe and dm, are urging the EU's agricultural ministers to enforce mandatory labeling of genetically modified foods.
Members of this campaign delivered a signed petition to Hungarian Minister of Agriculture, István Nagy, according to the Food Without Genetic Engineering Association. Given that Hungary is currently presiding over the EU Council of Agriculture and Fisheries as part of its rotating EU Council presidency, Nagy is responsible for heading these discussions. Companies representing 16 different EU member states joined this initiative's petition.
At present, there are ongoing discussions in Brussels about lessening the EU's genetic engineering regulations. The EU Commission suggested this in the summer of 2023, and the European Parliament also supported less restrictive rules for genetically modified foods in February of the same year. However, unlike the EU Commission's original proposal, the Parliament is advocating for mandated labeling of all genetically engineered products in the future.
The letter by the initiative states, "Many of our customers are hesitant about genetically modified goods. They want to make their own decisions about purchasing and consuming these products. This is only possible if the items are clearly labeled." Kerstin Erbe, dm's product management department head, echoed this sentiment in a statement, asserting, "Consumers must have the opportunity to acquire as much information as possible about what they're consuming."
Before the EU Parliament's vote in February, this business initiative had already advocated for keeping stricter labeling regulations in place. However, a consensus between EU countries and the European Parliament is required before less stringent rules can be fully implemented. As it stands, the EU's agricultural ministers are still attempting to reach a unified position on this matter. Negotiations with the Parliament can't begin until an agreement has been reached.
If deregulation were to occur, it could potentially make it simpler to create new plant breeds using modern genetic engineering methods. Supporters of this approach argue that this could lead to the development of more resilient plants with higher nutritional content. Some also envision a decrease in pesticide usage as a result.
The Food Without Genetic Engineering Association delivered a petition to the Hungarian Minister for Agriculture, István Nagy, urging him to enforce mandatory labeling of genetically modified foods. In light of ongoing discussions in Brussels, many food corporations, including Rewe and dm, have taken a stance, with Companies representing 16 different EU member states joining this initiative.
