The politics behind the proposals – the ongoing story of GMOs in Europe

Farming, consumer co-operative and environmental groups have called for the European Union to significantly strengthen its rules on genetically modified crops in order to introduce more realistic solutions to world hunger whilst protecting European consumers and farmers, IFOAM EU Group reports. The call comes as Environment Ministers meet to discuss for the first time new proposed legislation on genetically modified crops. Two years ago Environment Ministers called for better safety checks when authorising new crops and also for the socio-economic impacts to be taken into consideration, a call so far largely ignored by the European Commission. At the Council meeting, ministers will discuss new proposals to allow some member states to ban GM crops under certain conditions but fail to introduce any protection for farmers and consumers in countries that may choose to grow GM crops.
 
The Commission is asking member states to relax opposition to future GMO applications for cultivation in exchange for the right to ban GM crops – essentially fast tracking GMO approvals. On the days leading up to World Food Day, civil society organisations are urging governments to choose genuine political solutions to tackle world hunger, not technological “silver bullets”. With more than 1 billion people hungry worldwide, immediate and effective action on sustainable food security is needed. Lena Wietheger, Head of Communication for the IFOAM EU Group: “Innovative and universal solutions to solve world hunger need to address the complexity of the challenge. Productivity in adapted and diverse farm systems, low external inputs and resource efficiency is a strength of the organic farming approach.”. On World Food day on 16 October 2010 there will be organizations across Europe protesting against GMOs and transnational corporations. In France and Spain civil society groups, farmers and environmental organisations will organize symbolic actions against corporate control of the food chain by agribusinesses.
 
To protect the right for GMO free food and farming for all citizens, organisations demand a full review of GM policy in Europe, and call on the European Commission and member states to:
 

• introduce GMO legislation that ensures the existence of GMO-free feed, food and farming in Europe;
• implement compulsory measures to prevent contamination  in organic and conventional food products
• enforce the polluter pays principle; those who place GMOs on the market must pay for the costs of contamination prevention measures and damages resulting from GMO imports and cultivation;
• set up European agricultural policies which favour the production of non-GM feed for animals in Europe and ensuring its availability by offering real alternative to the monopoly of multinationals and shifting agriculture subsidies to more sustainable food and agricultural policies;
• introduce strict liability for all economic, health and environmental harms caused by GMOs.

IFOAM EU Group