International
Regulations, Legislation, Activities and Contacts
The Campaign to Label Genetically
Engineered Foods is seeking activist contacts
from around the globe who can keep us informed
about the regulations, legislative efforts and
activist activities in their countries. If you
would like to serve as a contact, please e-mail
us.
Algeria has banned the import, distribution,
commercialization and utilization of genetically
engineered plant material, except in the cases
of research.
Argentinean farmers grew 16 million acres of corn
in 1999 and 2000. Six percent was genetically
engineered. An estimated 80 to 90 percent of Argentina's
soybean crop is genetically enginerered. Only
the United States and Brazil grow more soybeans.
In July, 2000, Australia and New Zealand jointly
adopted one of the strictest labeling policies
in the world. By the end of 2001, both countries
will require the labeling of food and food ingredients
when "novel DNA and/or protein" is present
in the final food" or "where the food
has altered characteristics."
The countries have set a tolerance level of 1
percent for food that has been contaminated accidentally
or unintentionally. Foods, such as highly refined
oils and sugars, which are produced from GM crops
but which contain no novel DNA or proteins because
they are eliminated during the manufacturing process
will not require labeling.
Verification will consist of testing and paper-based
audit trails.
Austria has banned three kinds of biotech
corn, developed by Monsanto, Novartis and AgrEvo.
In the summer of 1999, a Brazilian federal
judge ruled that farmers there may not grow genetically
altered crops -- at least until further scientific
studies are completed.
A federal court in June, 2000 reaffirmed the
ban by agreeing with environmental and consumer
groups who argue that not enough is known about
the crops to consider them safe.
However, Brazilian's Agriculture Minister said
in June, 2000 that the country would gladly grow
genetically modified grains and label them if
market conditions dictated.
In July, 2001, the Agriculture Ministry said that
Brazil will require all foods of 4 percent or
more genetically modified material to be labeled,
should the domestic sale of GE foods one day be
legalized.
An internet opinion poll conducted by Brazil's
leading business newspaper, Gazeta Mercantil,
revealed that 60 percent of respondents oppose
bioengineered crops, while 23 percent believe
genetic engineering primarily benefits multinational
corporations.
The states of Rio Grande do Sol and Mato Grasso
do Sol have announced that they intend to remain
GE-free. Eighteen states have called on the Brazilian
government to prohibit the planting of commercial
GE crops.
Surveys have shown that Canadians strongly support
labeling of genetically engineered foods. Ninety-five
percent of those polled said they support labeling,
according to an August, 2000 press release from
the Canadian Health Food Association. In December,
1999, the Montreal Gazette reported that Montrealers
almost unanimously support mandatory labeling,
and more than half support an all-out ban.
However, the United States' neighbor to the
north has planted millions of acres of genetically
engineered crops, and the government has resisted
calls from the public for labeling. The Canadian
government has worked closely with biotech companies
to convince the public that genetic engineering
is safe, but to little avail.
China, the most populous country in the world,
is considered an enticing market for biotechnology
companies. The Chinese government announced in
June, 2000 that the country will begin to grow
genetically modified commercial crops on a limited
scale in 2001.
At the same time, China Daily newspaper has
reported that China quarantine officials want
all genetically modified crops to be labeled,
and have begun searching for unlabeled imports.
In June 2001, the country announced new regulations
requiring registration and labeling of genetically
engineered foods.
Agence France Presse reports that "China
appears to be fertile ground for GM agrobusiness,
judging by the rapid take-up rate of Monsanto's
GM cotton seeds in northern Hebei province, where
90 percent of cotton farmers are using the seeds
after their introduction only two years ago."
The country has banned the commercial planting
of biotech rice, wheat, corn and soybeans.
Egypt is the second largest grain-importing country
in the world. In June, 2000, Egypt's minister
of supply and internal trade, Hassan Khedr, made
headlines when he complained about genetically
altered food exports at the International Grains
Council conference.
"The question is how to avoid using LDCs
(less-developed countries) as guinea pigs for
genetically-modified products," he said.
Egypt has also declared that it will not import
genetically engineered wheat.
In 1998, the European Union mandated that all
genetically engineered foods in member countries
must be labeled. The European Union consists of
the following nations: Austria, Belgium, Denmark,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy,
Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Portugal, Spain,
Sweden and the United Kingdom.
In June 2000, the European Commission drew up
a discussion document for the EU Seeds Committee
which proposes that seeds cannot contain more
than 0.5 percent of GM material in order to be
labeled GM-free.
In July 2000, the EU announced it would apply
tougher rules for the marketing and production
of GM foods, even though those rules have yet
to be formally adopted. The new rules include
stricter labeling and monitoring of GM foods,
feeds, seeds and pharmaceutical products, as well
as a ban on antibiotic-resistant genes.
In February 2001, the EU ended a three-year de
facto moratorium on granting licenses for the
commercial development of GM foods. However, news
reports indicate that enough EU member countries
oppose the granting of new licenses to keep the
moratorium in effect.
At the same time, the new laws would provide
for tougher rules governing the planting of GM
foods, including improved risk assessments and
monitoring of crops.
In July 2001, the European Commission proposed
labeling all genetically engineered food, including
animal feed and derived products, in an attempt
to improve their traceability and encourage consumer
confidence.
A recent survey found that 66 percent of Europeans
see GM foods as a health hazard, according to
EU Health and Consumer Affairs Commissioner David
Byrne.
France has taken a leading role against genetically
modified crops. French ministers made several
calls for tougher laws on genetically altered
foods in 2000.
In June 2000, France said the European Union
should not authorize new genetically modified
crops even after new EU rules take effect--because
the rules aren't strict enough.
In August 2000, French Farm Minister Jean Glavany
pushed for European Union states to agree to a
maximum threshold for GMO content in seeds. Glavany
said the threshold is necessary because of the
discovery earlier in the summer that soy, corn
and rapeseed crops in Europe accidentally contain
GMOs.
Germany has taken a hard line on genetically
altered crops. In June 2000, Chancellor Gerhard
Schroeder urged agribusinesses voluntarily not
to grow GM crops until 2003, giving the government
time to assess their safety.
Germany has banned genetically engineered corn
developed by Novartis. Friends of the Earth Germany
is pursuing GE-free resolutions in several German
communities.
Greece has banned AgrEvo herbicide-resistant
rapeseed, and has imposed a moratorium on biotech
crop trials.
Indian farmers have been vocal in their opposition
to genetically altered foods, saying they exploit
developing countries like India. The government,
however, has taken several initiatives to promote
genetic engineering.
In July 2000, India's environment ministry gave
the go-ahead for the testing of genetically modified
cotton. Environmentalists protested that decision.
In November 2000, Agriculture Minister Nitish
Kumar announced that genetically engineered seeds
and food would not be allowed into the country
until their safety was scientifically proved.
In June 2001, India withheld environmental clearance
for genetically engineered cotton.
According to a BBC report, "the government
has defended its decision by saying it sympathizes
with public concern about genetically modified
crops and food, but that it also recognizes the
significance of genetic engineering."
Italy has taken a strong stance against genetically
modified foods. In August 2000, the Italian cabinet
blocked the marketing of four kinds of genetically
altered corn, citing concerns over possible health
and environmental risks.
"The center-left government of Prime Minister
Amato, which took office in April, opposes the
sowing of GM crops in open fields because of health
and environmental concerns," according to
a Reuters report.
In November 2000, Agriculture Minister Alfonso
Pecoraro Scanio announced that all Italian schools
are to serve only organic foods.
A new right-wing government in 2001 took a softer
line on genetically engineered foods.
Four Italian regions have banned biotech crops:
Tuscany, Molise, Lazio and Marche. Rome, Milan,
Turin and Genoa also have bans.
Japan, the largest importer of U.S. corn
and soybeans, has approved mandatory labeling
legislation. It went into effect in April 2001.
Several Japanese food manufacturers have pulled
GMO ingredients from their products in anticipation
of the new labeling rules.
Surveys reveal that Japanese citizens are wary
of genetic engineering. In August, a poll conducted
by Japanese newspaper Yomiuri Shimbun showed that
61 percent of Japanese consumers are concerned
about biotech foods. Eighty-two percent "view
the GMO food trend as negative."
Japan has banned the import of genetically engineered
wheat, and recent legislation has set zero tolerance
for imports that contain unapproved genetically
engineered foods.
South Korea requires the labeling of genetically
engineered corn, soybeans and bean sprouts for
human consumption. In addition, all GE fish products
must be labeled. Potatoes will have to be labeled
by March 2002.
Luxembourg has banned Novartis Bt corn.
In March 2000, the Mexican Senate unanimously
voted in favor of labeling legislation. The bill
was to be considered by the lower house of congress,
the Chamber of Deputies, before being considered
by the president of the country.
"Under the Mexican measure," reports
the Associated Press, "genetically modified
foods would have to bear a label reading ``transgenic
food.'' Those containing some genetically modified
ingredients would need a label reading: 'Food
made with transgenic products.'"
New Zealand agreed in July 2000 to a mandatory
system of labeling of genetically engineered foods.
The Australia New Zealand Food Standards Council
announced that all foods containing "novel
DNA" or proteins from genetic engineering
will have to be labeled.
Foods prepared at the point of sale, such as
restaurants, will be exempt, however.
"An overwhelming number of states and territories
and the New Zealand government supported the final
proposal," said South Australian Health Minister
Dean Brown from Wellington.
"It's been agreed that where you have genetically
modified food material then basically that food
should be appropriately labeled.
"What has been achieved here is a consensus
view that consumers will be very happy with."
The legislation was to take effect in mid-2001.
Norway has banned the importation of six
biotech crops and products that contain antibiotic
gene resistance: two genetically engineered vaccines,
corn, tobacco, chicory and oil swede rape. The
country so far has rejected 31 genetic engineering
applications.
In November 2000, Paraguay adopted labeling
of genetically engineered foods.
The Philippine government recently announced
a moratorium on research into genetically engineered
crops. The community of Valencia has called for
a five-year moratorium on the commercialization
of biotech crops.
Portugal has banned Novartis Bt corn.
Russian agricultural lawmakers, visiting the United
States, said Russia would not import genetically
altered crops from the U.S.
Valery Kechkin, who serves on the Federation Council,
said the Russian Parliament would not approve
purchases of genetically altered crops "unless
there was such a desperate need to justify it."
"We are not poor enough to go that far,"
Kechkin said. "We give priority to ecologically
pure products which is known on the basis of traditional
technology."
In August 2000, Saudi Arabia announced
that it would not import genetically engineered
foods.
In January 2000, South African officials
said they expected to introduce labeling regulations
later in the year. The announcement followed a
December 1999 move by Woolworths--one of the nation's
prime retailers--to pull GM food products from
its shelves.
The Basque government has imposed a five-year
blanket moratorium on genetically modified crops.
The provinces of Castilla-La Mancha and Baleares
have banned biotech foods.
In April 2000, Sri Lanka imposed a ban on genetically
modified foods, until more research could be conducted
on their effects on human health.
"However, Sri Lanka will depend on certificates
issued by food importers to impose the ban in
the absence of sophisticated techniques to test
gene-modified (GM) food," Agence France Presse
reports.
The ban, which affects all genetically modified
foods--raw and processed--went into effect in
May 2001.
The government temporarily lifted the ban in
June 2001, but planned to reimpose it in September.
Thai farmers have been outspoken in their opposition
to genetic engineering. In March 2000, an alliance
of 35 farmer groups and non-governmental organizations
threatened to stage a mass rally unless government
responded to their calls for a stop to the testing
of genetically engineered foods.
In January, Monsanto Thailand ran into fierce
opposition to the introduction of Bt cotton.
"It's one of the toughest tasks we have
ever been through, attempting to convince the
government on the safety standards of BT cotton.
I think Thailand has set very tough rules on genetically
modified organism (GMO) products," general
manager for the agricultural sector, Sanya Bhumichitra,
told Reuters.
Thailand has imposed a ban on field trials of
genetically engineered crops, and has terminated
field trials of Monsanto's biotech corn and cotton.
Thailand also has banned all commercial planting
of genetically engineered crops.
Thailand is expected, by the end of 2001, to
draw up legislation that would require the labeling
of genetically engineered foods.
Perhaps the strongest opposition in the world
to genetically engineered crops has come from
the British public. However, the Tony Blair government
has been slow to react to the public's will, and
has come under considerable fire.
Numerous food manufacturers and grocery stores
have banned GM ingredients.
In Scotland, 25 of 32 local school districts
have banned GM foods from their menus, because
of parental concerns over health and environmental
impacts.
The Saigon Times Daily reported in Sept.
2000 that the Vietnamese government is working
on regulations for genetically engineered foods,
and that imported GE foods likely would be labeled.
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