Tougher coexistence rules, more relaxed guidelines for "GM-free" labelling
Germany appears to have cleared the way for the new genetic engineering act: in a further round of negotiations, CDU/CSU and SPD representatives have resolved the remaining controversial points. The rules for safeguarding the coexistence of GM and conventional maize have been tightened again. Agreement was also reached on "GM-free" labelling rules for food.
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As stipulated in the bill approved by the cabinet in August, a separation distance of 150 metres between fields of GM and conventional maize remains in place. This distance increases to 300 metres for organic maize. Numerous field studies have shown that at these distances, potential contamination of conventional neighbouring fields with GM maize is extremely low, and well below the 0.9 percent threshold. According to EU law, adventitious GMO presence below this level is permitted without labelling. In principle, neighbouring farmers can reduce the stipulated separation distances between fields of GM and conventional maize by mutual agreement. The coalition parties have now negotiated rules for the precise terms which should apply to these discussions in the future. For example, the farmer growing GM maize must formally notify his neighbour of all the possible legal consequences. The discussion must be recorded in the site register. In addition, the GM-free farmer’s harvest from the 150 metre zone must be labelled as GMO even in the event of only minimal GMO presence, since this can no longer be regarded as "adventitious and technically unavoidable". ‘GM-free’: Feed additives produced using genetic engineering methods are permittedA further point of disagreement has also been resolved – the labelling of ‘GM-free’ food. After the representatives of the CDU/CSU and SPD agreed on a compromise on Sunday evening, the public initially received only incomplete and contradictory information. Even the government’s official press release on the labelling of GM-free food did not clearly list the criteria that such products need to meet. Since then, agriculture minister Seehofer has submitted a decision proposal to the Bundestag. According to this, food products of animal origin, such as milk, meat and eggs, can be labelled 'GM-free' as long as the animal feed does not contain genetically modified plants such as soya or maize. Feed additives are permitted even if they are produced using genetically modified micro-organisms. Such additives – primarily amino acids, enzymes and vitamins – are contained in many feed mixes. The ministry’s explanatory statement states that additives like these produced with the aid of genetic technology should be permitted "in the name of balanced livestock nutrition". These kinds of fermentation products "are produced under the controlled conditions of the closed system in a manner that spares the environment and resources." |
Such additives are, however, not permitted in food. Here the ‘GM-free’ label excludes all additives, enzymes and flavourings produced with the aid of GM micro-organisms. Exceptions are allowed only in the case of additives that are permitted under the EU regulation on organic production and for which there are no ‘GM-free’ alternatives available. So far, however, there are no additives produced using genetic technology that would meet the ‘GM-free’ labelling criteria.
Environmental and consumer associations welcomed the planned ‘GM-free’ label. Consumers would at last receive "freedom of choice for or against the use of genetically modified feed," according to the Federation of German Consumer Organisations. By contrast, the food and feed industry was critical. The BLL, the umbrella association for the food industry, claimed that consumers were being misled if they could not be sure that products labelled ‘GM-free’ had in fact been produced without genetically modified substances. It was not possible to explain to the consumer why the "conscious and targeted use of genetic engineering methods" should be permitted in the very foods that are advertised as ‘GM free’.
The modifications to the Genetic Engineering Act and the Act to implement EC genetic engineering law – which is where ‘GM-free’ labelling is regulated – are to enter into force together with the regulation on good farming practice in the course of the next growing season. The final vote in the Bundestag is planned for the end of January. The Bundesrat could then finally get the Act off the ground in February.
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