The European Parliament today voted for the full labelling and traceability of GM foods and animal feeds. The vote paves the way for new legislation to give consumers and farmers the ability to avoid GM foods if they choose.
This is a major defeat for the biotech industry and the UK Government which has fought to weaken proposals which ensure that food products derived from GM crops are properly labelled. A Eurobarometer survey in December showed that 94 per cent of the public want the right to choose whether to eat GM foods.
The proposals will now go to the Council of Ministers for approval. A further two votes are likely to be needed by the European Parliament over the coming year before the proposals would become law.
"Today's vote is a major success for British consumers and farmers and a serious defeat for the biotech industry who have lobbied so hard to water down these proposals the public should have the right to avoid GM foods if they don't want to eat them. By backing this comprehensive labelling scheme European MPs have paved the way for them to have that choice," said Real Food Campaigner Adrian Bebb. "This vote is also a defeat for the UK Government and Food Standards Agency chief, Sir John Krebs, who have been pushing for weaker rules with the support of the US Government and biotech industry. They should now review their position and back UK consumers instead."
The European Parliament has voted for:
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