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Does the European Commission master all the scientific jargon used in its proposed deregulation of GMOs? Are the multinationals trying to take advantage of the complexity of the scientific concepts involved to get more than they bargain for? The European legislator, whether a Member State government or an MEP, is, like most citizens, unaware of […]

Four industrial groups dominate the market for genetically modified micro-organisms. Of the 272 applications filed that strictly concern GMMs, 173 (64%) are from :– Novozymes (54 applications + 4 via its subsidiary Chr. Hansen) ; – DSM (42 cases + 1 via Biomin GmbH + 1 via Avansya, a joint venture between DSM and Cargill) ; – Danisco/IFF […]

Four industrial groups dominate the market for genetically modified micro-organisms. Of the 272 applications filed that strictly concern GMMs, 173 (64%) are from :– Novozymes (54 applications + 4 via its subsidiary Chr. Hansen) ;– DSM (42 cases + 1 via Biomin GmbH + 1 via Avansya, a joint venture between DSM and Cargill) ;– Danisco/IFF (40 cases […]

On June 14 2022, the European Commission met with PivotBio. This US company markets genetically modified microorganisms (GMMs) to « convert atmospheric nitrogen and deliver it to crops ». During the meeting, PivotBio explained that these microorganisms are modified « by conventional mutagenesis or by genome editing ». But it does not wish to market them in Europe « since […]

The wave of GMOs/NGTs (new genomic techniques) is promised by US and European multinationals, and promoted by the European Commission and agricultural lobbies. But it also raises intellectual property issues for some « intermediate » seed companies. These GMOs/NGTs are in fact protected by patents with a potentially very broad scope, which can have an impact on […]

The European Commission claims that its proposal for deregulation, which it put forward on July 5 2023, does not concern all GMOs but only “plants produced by targeted mutagenesis and cisgenesis” [1]. Copa-Cogeca publicly comments on the proposal, welcoming “the fact that the Commission’s proposal plans exemptions from EU GMO legislation for certain specific NBTs and […]

Recently, the European Economic and Social Committee urgently adopted an opinion critical of the Commission’s plan to deregulate new GMOs/NTGs, as part of the mandatory consultation procedure. The European Committee of the Regions has also been consulted, but its opinion has not yet been published. However, in May 2023, this committee issued an opinion on […]

Recently, the European Economic and Social Committee urgently adopted an opinion critical of the Commission’s plan to deregulate new GMOs/NTGs, as part of the mandatory consultation procedure. The European Committee of the Regions has also been consulted, but its opinion has not yet been published. However, in May 2023, this committee issued an opinion on […]

At a conference organized at the European Parliament on October 26, 2023 by Socialist MEP Christophe Clergeau, the French consumer association UFC-Que Choisir, through the voice of Olivier Andrault, was clear : GMOs, whether « classical » or renamed NGT (New Genomic Techniques), must be assessed, labeled, and present real benefits, notably for the end consumer. The position […]