European Commission Rules Against Mandatory GMO Labeling For Meat

European Commission Rules Against Mandatory GMO Labeling For Meat

The European Commission has ruled that there is no scientific justification at this time for requiring labeling of meat or other animal products from animals fed with feed containing genetically modified (GM) organisms.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) reported in July 2007 that, after a thorough analysis of existing scientific data, there is no evidence of recombinant DNA fragments or proteins derived from GM plants in tissues, fluids or edible products of farm animals like broilers, cattle, pigs or quail, and no harmful effects on those food products.

Based on this report, the European Commission recently ruled there is no scientific basis at this time to justify a modification of the existing labeling regime for GM food and feed to include products derived from animals fed with GM feed.

One year ago, Greenpeace presented the European Commission with a petition containing the signatures of one million EU citizens calling for mandatory labeling for dairy and meat produce originated from livestock fed on GM feed.  In response, the European Commission requested that EFSA review scientific arguments on the issue, which led to the recent ruling.

European Commission Rules Against Mandatory GMO Labeling For Meat

The European Commission has ruled that there is no scientific justification at this time for requiring labeling of meat or other animal products from animals fed with feed containing genetically modified (GM) organisms.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) reported in July 2007 that, after a thorough analysis of existing scientific data, there is no evidence of recombinant DNA fragments or proteins derived from GM plants in tissues, fluids or edible products of farm animals like broilers, cattle, pigs or quail, and no harmful effects on those food products.

Based on this report, the European Commission recently ruled there is no scientific basis at this time to justify a modification of the existing labeling regime for GM food and feed to include products derived from animals fed with GM feed.

One year ago, Greenpeace presented the European Commission with a petition containing the signatures of one million EU citizens calling for mandatory labeling for dairy and meat produce originated from livestock fed on GM feed.  In response, the European Commission requested that EFSA review scientific arguments on the issue, which led to the recent ruling.