EUROPE SAYS "NO!" TO GENETICALLY ENGINEERED FOOD:
Action by Food Producers, Retailers and Consumers
AUSTRIA
Unilever and Nestle, the two largest food producers, will not use genetically engineered soya in their products. Both have said that if the situation changes they will make consumers aware of any genetically engineered materials in their foods.
The majority of supermarket chains are opposed to genetic engineering and committed to keeping it off their shelves. Spar and Meinl have declared themselves completely free of genetically engineered foods.
DENMARK
Following the country's adoption of mandatory labelling, all retailers have asked suppliers to tell them whether supplies are free of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Retailers report that suppliers are switching away from soya or looking for GMO-free supplies. The only oil mill in Denmark, at Aarhus, is actively looking for GMO-free soya in Brazil. Prior to the labelling rules, all retailers (through their European organisations) had asked unsucessfully for genetically engineered soya beans to be separated from traditional ones.
An opinion poll by Gallup (December 1996) found that 68% of those surveyed thought genetically engineered food should be banned; 95% wanted it labelled; and 74% would choose traditional tomatoes even if the genetically engineered variety was tastier and stayed fresh for longer. Another poll (January 1997) from GfK, found that more than half of those surveyed were willing to pay more for food that has not been genetically engineered.
EUROPE
Kraft Jacobs Suchard, the 4th largest food company in Europe has said that for the foreseeable future, all soya based ingredients used in their products in Europe will only be derived from crops which are free of genetically engineered material (GE free). EuroCommerce, which represents one-third of the EU's food wholesalers and retailers, has called for segregation of the soya crop.
A Market & Opinion Research International (MORI) poll in Denmark, France, Great Britain, Italy, the Netherlands and Sweden (9th January 1997) found that the majority of Europeans surveyed do not want genetically engineered food. 78% of Swedes, 77% of French, 65% of the Italians and Dutch, 63% of Danes and 53% of British said they were unhappy to eat it. A previous study in Germany found that 78% of those surveyed were opposed to food derived from genetic engineering.
FRANCE
The largest food distributor in France - the Federation of Commerce and Distribution (FCD) - wants the precautionary principle applied to genetic engineering. They have said they will ban all products containing genetically engineered soybeans until a clear identification system is in place.
Most (including the two biggest) consumer's unions have called for clear labelling, saying "consumers don't want to be laboratory rabbits".
A staggering 30,000 signatures were collected in just two months on a petition asking Jacques Chirac to ban genetically engineered soya bean imports.
GERMANY
Some 50 food processors, retailers and associations in Germany are either in favour of labelling or do not want to use genetically engineered soya. This includes companies such as Unilever Germany, Nestle Germany, Danone Germany, Ferrero, and Kraft Jacobs Suchard. Dr Oetker, a leading cooking supplies company, has said that it will go GE free.
ITALY
Ferrero, the largest Italian chocolate producer will not use genetically engineered soya.
NETHERLANDS
The consumer organisation, industry and Minister of Health decided there should be labelling of all foods containing genetically engineered soya protein from April 1997.
Kraft-Jacobs-Suchardt; Nutricia/Milupa (baby foods); Dr. Oetker (cooking supplies); Redband/Venco (confectionery): and all companies producing products with the EKO label (organic foods), have guaranteed that their products will be GE free.
NORWAY
Daglivarhandelns Environmental and Packing Forum which includes almost all the Norwegian food retailers and wholesalers has refused to buy soya products unless the crop is segregated.
The Norwegian Trade Forum on the environment and packaging has said that if the soya crop is not segregated it is prepared to take appropriate action in collaboration with the European grocery trade.
SWEDEN
The two biggest retail chains ICA and KF have stated that they do not want genetically engineered organisms in food and have demanded food producers declare their products GE free.
The main farmers organisation (LRF) has demanded that suppliers declare animal feed GE free.
The Federation of Swedish Food Industry which represents the country's main food suppliers, has said it will not be using genetically engineered soya and has called for its separation and labelling.
Unilever and Nestle promised that they will push for segregation of the crop and, within the company, will campaign for labelling.
A joint call has come from Konsumentraadet, the main consumer organisation (BEUC member) which includes the biggest trade union LO, (2 million members); the retailer chain KF, and many other big organisations for a ban on genetically engineered food.
SWITZERLAND
Migros and Coop Schweiz, two of the biggest food retailers controlling 43% of the market, have called for genetically engineered soya beans to be marketed separately and labelled.
Unilever supports separation of the genetically engineered beans from natural beans. 150,000 signatures were collected on a petition opposing genetically food. Two consumer groups have declared themselves 100% against genetically engineered products. Another demands that they be labelled.
A group of concerned farmers, producers and consumers have joined Greenpeace in a legal challenge to the Government's approval of genetically engineered soya.
UNITED KINGDOM
Iceland supermarket chain is committed to going GE free. The Co op Chain is angry about the lack of segregation and will work towards a segregated supply of soya. The cafe chain Pret a Manger guarantees that its products will be GE free. Tesco supermarket chain says that as a precaution it will label any animal product which has been fed with genetically engineered corn.
Unilever committed itself to finding a supply of soya beans which has not been genetically engineered, and to label those products which do contain genetically engineered beans clearly. However, they have now revoked the decision to seek traditional soya.
The Consumer's Association calls for urgent action on labelling, segregation and long-term monitoring of genetically engineered soya beans.
In only two days over 10,000 customers to Sainsbury's supermarkets signed petitions saying they do not want to eat genetically engineered food. Some of London's top chefs have come out against genetically engineered food, demanding the right to know what they are feeding their customers.
A coalition of 15 UK NGO's (including Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth) have signed a joint statement calling for the segregation of genetically engineered soya and for adequate labelling to allow consumers a real choice.
LUXEMBOURG
The three big supermarket chains have called on food suppliers, including Unilever, Nestle and Danone to refuse the use of genetically modified soya in their products. Two supermarket chains supported the collection of signatures against the soya.
The main Luxembourg consumer organisation, together with the hotels and restaurants federation have spoken out against genetically engineered soya. Over 3000 signatures have been collected on petitions against it.