Berlin, Germany
February 15, 2008
Source:
GMO Compass
Representing the German federal states (“Länder”), the
"Bundesrat" has adopted a new set of rules for the voluntary
labelling of "GMO free" animal products and for the cultivation
of genetically modified maize.
Today's
decision was the last step in the legislative procedure which,
presumably in spring, results in the enactment of the amended
law. It allows animal-derived foods such as meat, milk and eggs
to be labelled as "without gene technology", provided that feed
used in the productiofeen of these foodstuffs contained no
genetically modified plants for a given period of time.
Nonetheless, animals may have been fed indeed with additives
such vitamins or enzymes that were produced with genetically
modified organisms.
The state
of Hesse failed in its attempt to prevent the “GMO-free”
labelling: its call for a conciliation procedure did not find
the necessary support among the Länder. Together with a few
other states, Hesse criticised such labelling as deceptive. The
label "without gene technology" would lead consumers to assume
that a product had no contact with biotechnology in any stage of
its production, which is not the case. The state of North
Rhine-Westphalia complained that the amendment would constrain
biotechnological research but also was unable to find enough
support for a conciliation procedure.
Strict
regulations for the cultivation of genetically modified maize
form part of the law package. To avoid cross-pollination, a
farmer growing GM crops must keep a minimum distance of 150
metres between his transgenic maize and conventional maize
fields. Between GM maize and organic maize fields, this distance
is increased to 300 metres. Farmers wishing to cultivate
genetically engineered maize must advise their neighbours in
writing three months before the intended sowing.
While
neighbours may agree to separation distances below recommended
values, any such agreement must be reported to the competent
federal authority and will be recorded in the nationwide site
register.
According
to the public register, around 280 German farmers currently plan
to seed more than 4,300 hectares of genetically modified maize
in 2008. However, the German Farmers Association (DBV) withheld
recommendation of GM crops. Such hesitancy is due to farmers’
retention of liability, despite the latest amendment and
irrespective of negligence or fault.
See also on GMO-Compass:
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