Genetically modified food to be labelled

THE EU is to require that all genetically modified food be adequately labelled despite allowing importation of such products into Europe without labelling in the past.

The move comes as the European Commission was accused by MEPs of failing to learn from the BSE crisis by not putting consumer interests at the top of its agenda on the issue.

The Environment Commissioner, Ms Ritt Bjerregard, however, resisted calls for a moratorium on the use of foods containing genetically modified organisms (GMO) within the EU in response to claims that insufficient scientific evidence was available about their potential impact.

Austria and Luxembourg have introduced a ban on GMO products, while Ireland is currently considering its first application to grow genetically modified sugar beet. The commission wished to see the development of the GMO industry, she said, but with adequate public health protection.

Following a decision taken by the commission in recent days, labelling was a priority issue, Ms Bjerregard said. Labelling would be tightened and producers would have to differentiate clearly between GMO and non GMO food.

While the directive known as EEC 92-20 would be "completely revamped", it was not possible to ensure new regulations applied retroactively on GMO foods already in circulation.

An Irish MEP, Mr Alan Gillis (FG), said there was a need for a clear and full set of rules on GMO use, which would spell out safety tests and balance the consumer interest.