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Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are already in
our food and GM crops are growing in fields across Europe - yet we do
not know if they are safe. The companies that profit from GM crops,
and even some governments, claim that our health and the environment
are not at risk. Many people, however, including independent
scientists, believe that not to be true.
Across Europe, consumers have rejected GM foods. Some
food retailers and manufacturers have pledged to source their products
from GMO-free sources. Due to GMO contamination, however, it may
become difficult or even impossible for conventional and organic
farmers to stay GMO-free. The future of sustainable agriculture is
under threat since it is becoming increasingly apparent that
co-existence between conventional or organic farming and GM crops is
impossible.
Although, under current EU law, food products
containing GMOs should be labelled, there are loopholes which allow 1%
GMO contamination before a product has to be labelled, and for
products containing ingredients derived from GM crops - such as
vegetable oils - to escape labelling altogether. New regulations are
under discussion in the EU that could make things even worse, by
allowing up to 1% of unauthorised GMOs in human food and animal
feed.
Friends of the Earth’s European GMO Campaign is working
to safeguard GMO-free agriculture and to ensure that European citizens
have the right to choose GMO-free food. To achieve this, FoE national
groups across Europe are working together to:
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actively lobby at EU
and national level to strengthen GMO legislation;
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increase public
awareness and participation in decision-making about GMOs, and help
ensure that consumers can exercise their right to choose about GM
crops and food;
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research information
and propose policy solutions.
GMO@foeeurope.org
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