European Parliament passes GM labelling rules

Stricter labelling rules for genetically modified were voted for by

members of the European Parliament today.

The plans, which still have to be agreed by EU environment ministers before becoming law, will include processed products derived from GM foods like sugar and vegetable oils which may be produced with GM maize, but currently escape labelling.

Under the plans, the current EU limit requiring foods with more than 1 per cent GM DNA or protein to be labelled will be halved to 0.5 per cent.

The members also rejected a call for a GM-free label. The European Consumer’s Organisation had opposed introducing such a label saying it would mislead consumers.

However, the parliament did not agree extra measures sought by some MEPs to label milk, meat and eggs from animals reared on GM animal feeds.

In 2001 a Food Safety Authority of Ireland study found misleading labelling on soy-based products.

Out of 37 products tested, 18 were found to contain GM ingredients derived from an EU-licenced GM soybean under the one per cent threshold. However, five of these samples suggested they had no GM ingredients and one claimed to be organic.

Dr Patrick O’Mahony, chief specialist in biotechnology at the FSAI, stressed that there were no known health implications arising from the presence of GM material in foodstuffs.

He expressed his satisfaction that food manufacturers will continue to be required to detail the composition of their products.

Clear labelling, Dr O'Mahony told ireland.com, would allow consumers make an informed decision before purchasing foodstuffs.

Today’s decision is likely to anger the US government which could report the EU to the World Trade Organisation for allegedly hindering trade. More than $4 billion of food exports to the EU is at stake.

US agri-business companies have been resistant to GM labelling but public concern and legislators have forced them onto the back foot.

US consumers have been less resistant to GM foods. The view of the US Food and Drugs Administration is that GM food is "substantially equivalent" to normal food. They do not see labelling as an issue because GM foods are not a health and safety issue.

A survey in 2001 revealed that 94 per cent of Europeans want to be able to choose whether to eat GM foods and 71 per cent do not want to include these products in their diets.

The issue is likely to return to the European Parliament for consideration by EU environment ministers in the autumn.