The European Parliament today voted to adopt strict rules that will see all GM foods labelled across the EU. The move is certain to infuriate the Bush administration and GM-lobbyists in the United States, where the European proposal was fiercely opposed. Tony Blair and the Food Standards Agency were also known to oppose the legislation. The comprehensive new rules mean that all food and animal feed containing or deriving from genetically modified organisms will have to be clearly labelled, making it possible for farmers, food producers and consumers to avoid using or eating them.
Ben Ayliffe of Greenpeace said, "Despite the best efforts of Bush, Blair and the GM lobby, consumers have today won a significant victory. For GM enthusiasts who wanted to force this technology down European throats, the new laws are a major setback. They opposed real choice because they know how unpopular their products are. Now Brussels needs to ensure that non-GM farming is protected from contamination, otherwise the labelling laws will be worthless."
Greenpeace is concerned about a compromise amendment on the coexistence issue; member states will not have to impose measures to ensure that GM does not contaminate conventional and organic agriculture. A government as pro-GM as Tony Blair's administration is unlikely to protect non-GM farmers and GM-free food.
The GM industry is attempting to undermine the new EU legislation by pushing for a further law which will allow for contamination of European seeds by GM, without farmers knowing it. If passed it would become harder for farmers to ensure their crops do not eventually exceed the threshold above which food products must be labelled GM. The result would be less and less GM-free food available to consumers, and increased contamination of our environment.
Some have seen today's vote as the signal that the EU's de facto moratorium is ending and that our supermarkets will soon be flooded with GM foods. However, it is worth noting that it is not the de facto moratorium that has stopped GM products from selling in the EU market; GM products are not on sale here because no one wants them. For example, Monsanto's GM soya is currently approved in Europe but has faced massive consumer rejection. Under the new rules, GM products that could previously enter the food chain without consumers knowing it, must now be fully labelled. This means the public has secured their right to reject GM products.
