Towards a GMO-free Europe

With genetically modified organisms (GMO) rapidly spreading across the globe, concerted action has become more important than ever. European initiatives try to boost the introduction of a comprehensive European GMO-labeling system.

Nora Berger berichtet aus Brüssel.

Politicians, NGOs and spokesmen of businesses met in Brussels on the 3^rd and 4^th of February 2010 to discuss the future of an agriculture without genetically modified seeds and crops at a conference organized by the European Network of GMO-free regions. This common initiative was started in 2003 and today comprises 51 European regions and local authorities, united by their opposition to all forms of growing, using or selling genetically modified organisms (GMO). The network is trying to find adequate measures to protect its member regions from the negative impact GMO may have on agriculture and biodiversity. Above all, it fights for the implementation of a EU-wide labeling system that would allow consumers to distinguish easily between products containing GMO and GM-free products.

National success stories

Whereas until now there is no Europe-wide comprehensive label for GM-free products, there do exist some systems which have successfully been implemented on the national level. The Austrian label “Gentechnik-frei erzeugt” is regarded as the most successful example across Europe. Introduced in 1998, based on the coordination and cooperation of all relevant stakeholders, the label is now widely-used. The first conventional meat products to bear the label were introduced in 2009, the major discounter Hofer (Aldi) started to label its complete dairy range in January 2010; the labeling of all Austrian dairy products is expected in spring 2010. A similar but not as fully worked out initiative can be found in Germany. The German label Ohne Gentechnik – introduced in 2008 in an effort to create a nationwide labeling system – has already been accepted by major producers. Discounter Lidl launching dairy products labeled Ohne Gentechnik can be regarded as the first big breakthrough.

A vision for Europe

Despite these national success stories the question of whether the EU is ready for a comprehensive GMO-free label or not remains. Private consumers have shown huge and fast acceptance of the initative introducing national GM-free labels in every European country. However, industry and politics – the two other most important stakeholders – have to prove commitment. As far as companies are concerned, most of them are open-minded enough to give a GM-free label a try, explains Jochen Koester. He is the head and founder of TraceConsult, a consulting firm advising companies on ethical governance with a focus on GM-free production. Politicians, on the other hand, still do not seem to be fully aware of the importance of the topic to consumers and appear rather uninspired when it comes to developing feasible concepts, Koester said

In theory, European politicians are on the same page regarding the introduction of a new EU-wide labeling system. Representatives of the two European Parliamentary groups Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) and The Greens-European Free Alliance (Greens-FEA) agree that the topic is very important. Moreover both are convinced that in the near future not GM-free products but products containing GMO should be labeled. By that they share the vision of NGOs like Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth, which demand that GM-free products become standard in Europe. The two Parliamentary groups even confirm that GM and non-GM seeds and crops cannot coexist, but they highly doubt that a majority in the European Parliament would support legislation entirely banning the use of GMO.

Setting an example

The willingness and determination of politicians to launch and lead the debate about a European label for GM-free products is indispensable for the success of the whole project, confirmed Koester. Only if all involved stakeholders are positive and ready to collaborate, a European label will follow national examples and succeed. Otherwise the vision of an EU-wide labeling system would remain an unfulfilled dream – an incalculable loss in the worldwide debate about GMO, where Europe tries to act as a stronghold of GM-free agriculture.

The importance of Europe in that context is also underlined by John Fagan, director of the Non-GMO Project based in the USA. In addition to the impact of GMO on health and the environment, they also have a huge impact on food security, offering companies the opportunity to take full control over seed markets and food systems, Fagan said. In his opinion, Europe should not restrict its struggle against GMO to its own territory, but see itself in the role of a protector of food security across the globe. He draws a very dark picture: If the stronghold Europe falls, GMO will take over.