Published: December 14 2023
Hungary's GMO-free status is being threatened despite the rejection of draft legislation in the EU's Agriculture and Fisheries Council. The proposal aimed to exempt new genomic techniques from strict GMO regulations, but if passed, it would eliminate the labeling requirement for GMO-free products. This could have serious consequences for farmers, traders, and consumers.
The Aggressive Lobbying Efforts
The chemical industry lobbyists behind the proposal are pushing for another round of voting on the exemption. They have found allies among politicians who support their agenda. If the legislation is passed with a qualified majority, it would not only scrap the labeling requirement but also give control over seed production to agribusiness players. This would greatly undermine the autonomy of farmers and agricultural biodiversity.
The Call for Action
Erzsébet Schmuck, the co-leader of green opposition LMP, is calling on all Hungarian MEPs and decision-makers to stand up for maintaining strict and comprehensive GMO regulations. Regardless of party affiliation, it is crucial for them to prioritize the protection of Hungary's GMO-free status.
Conclusion
The fight to protect Hungary's GMO-free status continues as lobbying efforts persist to exempt new genomic techniques from GMO regulations. If successful, this could eliminate the labeling requirement for GMO-free products and give control over seed production to agribusiness players. It is imperative that Hungarian MEPs and decision-makers prioritize the preservation of strict GMO regulations to safeguard the autonomy of farmers and promote agricultural biodiversity.
Questions & Answers
What is Hungary's GMO-free status? Hungary is known for having a GMO-free status, which means that genetically modified organisms are strictly regulated and labeled in the country.
Is Hungary's GMO-free status at risk? Yes, Hungary's GMO-free status is currently at risk. There have been attempts in the EU's Agriculture and Fisheries Council to exempt new genomic techniques (NGTs) from strict GMO regulations, which would impact Hungary's ability to maintain its GMO-free status.
What is the proposed legislation that could affect Hungary's GMO-free status? The proposed legislation backed by chemical industry lobbyists aims to exempt new genomic techniques (NGTs) from strict GMO regulations. If passed with a qualified majority, this legislation would eliminate the requirement for labeling GMO products, which would make it difficult for farmers, traders, and consumers to choose GMO-free products.
What are the potential consequences if the proposed legislation is passed? If the proposed legislation is passed, it could result in the loss of control over seed production for farmers and agribusiness players. This could lead to a decrease in agricultural biodiversity and threaten the autonomy of farmers. Additionally, consumers would no longer be able to easily identify and choose GMO-free products.
What is Erzsébet Schmuck calling for to protect Hungary's GMO-free status? Erzsébet Schmuck, the co-leader of green opposition LMP, is calling on all Hungarian MEPs and decision-makers to support and maintain strict and comprehensive GMO regulations in Hungary, regardless of their party affiliation. She wants them to oppose the proposed legislation that would exempt NGTs from GMO regulations.
What action is LMP taking to protect Hungary's GMO-free status? LMP, the green opposition party, is taking action to protect Hungary's GMO-free status. They are asking President Katalin Novák not to sign the law on construction that was approved by the ruling parties in parliament. LMP is also initiating a constitutional review of the law to challenge its validity.
