GM soy beans gain ground

Published on 18 April 2012 at 12:25

According to information obtained by German daily Frankfurter Rundschau, the European Commission is opening the door to the use of genetically-modified organisms (GMOs) in food production. After authorising, in 2011, the use of GMOs in fodder, such as soy beans for pig feed, Brussels wants to extend the authorisation of GM traces to a tolerance level of 0.1% for foodstuffs. The measure could come into force this summer.

The paper, known for its environmental positions, adds that the Commission is using economic arguments to defend the use of GMO soy beans because the EU imports high quantities of soy bean to satisfy the demand for use in fodder and food -

The European Commission is easing its position towards bio-technology and wants to authorise agro-business firms to include a higher trace level of GMOs in food. Environmental organisations and The Greens in the European Parliament are protesting against abandoning the current zero GMO tolerance policy especially in products such as soy lecithin in chocolate, baked goods, margarine or ice cream.

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