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More than 500 North American farmers, manufacturers, retailers and buyers join the Non-GMO Project to urge the EU to join them in maintaining strong control of new GMOs
BELLINGHAM, Wash., Feb. 5, 2024/PRNewswire/ — The European Parliament’s Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) is advancing a proposal to deregulate GMO production in Europe. The proposal has significant support from some ministers and biotechnology developers. The proposal will be put to a plenary vote on February 6.
This is very worrying for the natural products industry. If the proposal passes, most new GMOs created using powerful technologies like CRISPR could enter the food system without tracking, testing, regulation and labeling. This is a striking retreat from the EU’s long-standing commitment to protecting the world’s supply of non-GM food. It would undermine shoppers’ right to know what’s in their food and to avoid GMOs. The EU produces around a fifth of the world’s food supply.
Buyers in Europe and North America overwhelmingly support transparency and their right to make informed decisions. Many are avoiding GMOs to support a more natural and regenerative organic food system. Advances in regenerative, organic and non-GMO food production, often based on deep indigenous knowledge, have proven to be powerful tools to create a more resilient food system that can slow, stop and potentially reverse climate change, without the need to genetically modify the basic components of life.
Outside of the natural products industry, genetic engineering is increasingly being used in conjunction with artificial intelligence. We need to implement serious safeguards and regulatory oversight over its use, given its multiple risks and misguided claims of benefits. These technologies short-circuit nature and artificially create new forms of life for human consumption. Without regulatory oversight, we will dramatically limit our ability to identify and contain emerging social, environmental or economic risks associated with GMOs.
The Non-GMO Project is responding to the impending plenary vote in the EU Parliament by circulating a public signature letter to be presented to Ministers in the EU Parliament. Farmers, buyers, brands, retailers and others across the North American natural products sector can ask the EU Parliament to delay this vote and do more to protect organic and non-GMO food networks from new unwanted GMOs. Hundreds of concerned citizens and organizations have read and signed the letter here.
About the Non-GMO ProjectThe Non-GMO Project is a mission-driven nonprofit organization dedicated to building and protecting a non-GMO food supply. The Non-GMO Project Verified seal remains North America’s most trusted third-party verification for GMO avoidance. Backed by our rigorous standard, the Butterfly label is a meaningful way for brands and retailers to show their commitment to non-GMO and food options. For more information www.nongmoproject.org.
Media Contacts:Alexandra Tursi | alex@weareguru.com | 802-777-6737
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