In a recent statement, the scientific Society for Ecology in Germany, Austria and Switzerland (GfOE) warns against the EU Commission's planned abolition of risk assessment for the majority of plants from new genetic engineering techniques (NGT). The GfOE, the world's third largest scientific society in the field of ecology, criticises the fact that the EU Commission's proposal fails to "recognise fundamental ecological principles" at the application level of new genetic engineering. In addition, the threshold definition of so-called NGT1 plants, in which no foreign genetic material is incorporated, fails to take environmental risks into account. In its statement, the GFÖ warns that the deregulation of all NGT1 plant species worldwide could pose a serious threat to the conservation of biodiversity and sustainability. GMWatch

 

 

Genewatch UK's excellent response to the Food Standards Agency's consultation on proposals for a new framework in England for the regulation of "precision bred" GMOs used for food and animal feed has been published and is available here. GMWatch will also be submitting a response. Beyond GM has published guidance for people who want to respond. We encourage all of you who care about this issue to make your voices heard. GMWatch comment on Genewatch UK publication

 

We hope you’ve enjoyed this newsletter, which is made possible by readers’ donations. Please support our work with a one-off or regular donation. Thank you!