The Future of GMOs in Europe EPP Group Hearing Brussels, 18 November 2015 EuropaBio 18/11/2015
Contents 1. Who are we & what do we do? 2. The EU model of Agriculture 3. GMO “non - cultivation” in the EU 4. The Use of GM Food and Feed 5. Conclusions 2
EuropaBio: the European Association for Bioindustries Three sectors: Industrial biotechnology / White : Industrial processes Healthcare biotechnology / Red : Pharmaceutical products Plant biotechnology / Green : Agriculture/ seeds • 59 corporate members (Healthcare + Industrial + Agbiotech) • 17 associate members and BIO Regions • 16 national biotech associations = +1800 biotech SMEs 9 Green biotech member companies
GMOs are Safe “Planting the future: opportunities and challenges for using crop genetic improvement technologies for sustainable agriculture .” EASAC policy report 21, June 2013 “There is compelling evidence that GM crops can contribute to sustainable development goals with benefits to farmers, consumers, the environment and the economy.” “The regulatory framework for crop genetic improvement technologies must be reformulated appropriately to be science- based, transparent, proportionate and predictable , taking into account the extensive experience gained and good practice implemented worldwide. ” EU policy has constrained the use of agricultural biotechnology in African countries “ the current slow and expensive regulatory situation surrounding GM crops in the EU encourages monopolies” 4
The EU model of Agriculture EU Agriculture challenges • 9 billion people by 2050 Organic Agriculture? • Climate change Conventional Agriculture? • Increasing strain on food & water Integrated supply Production? • Decreasing availability of arable land Green biotechnology? • Sustainability 5
Cultivation of biotech crops in the EU 3 . GMO “non - cultivation” in the EU 6
Cultivation of biotech crops in the EU Cultivation No cultivation EU farmers are allowed to plant only 1 GM event – but not in all Member States In the Americas farmers are allowed 150+ 7
Cultivation of biotech crops in the EU • Authorised in the EU since 1998 • Protection against European Corn Borer • The Spanish experience 8
Non-cultivation directive • Entered into force April 2015 (Dir. 2015/412). • Member States can “opt out” of cultivation of EU approved products on non-scientific grounds, thus undermining the single market • 17+2 Countries requested to opt out 9
The use of GM Food and Feed 10
EU heavily dependent on imported protein • 34 mln tonnes of soya beans/year = 60 kg per EU citizen • Production in the EU (2014) = 1.7 tonnes, less than 5% of EU need • Used for animal feed 11
ALL EU Member States import GMOs • Selected Member States regularly voting against the science: Hungary 60 kg/capita, Poland almost 52 kg/capita, Greece over 45 kg/capita, Slovenia 300 kg/capita, Bulgaria 14 kg/capita • Selected Member states regularly voting in favour of science: The Netherlands 470 kg/capita, Spain 112 kg/capita, Portugal 86 kg/capita, UK 43 kg/capita • Selected Member States with unstable voting / abstentions: Germany 79 kg/capita, France 59 kg/capita, Denmark over 285 kg/capita, Belgium/Luxemburg 128 kg/capita How is YOUR country voting? Sources: Oil World, FAOstat 12
Main conclusions Cultivation • Farmers & consumers’ choice denied • Coexistence is a fact Imports • Massive imports (primarily for animal feed) • Internal market and farmers’ livelihoods threatened Our Pl an “A” • A better implementation of scheme in place • Timely EU authorisations for safe GM products • Legal certainty /Science approach • Technical solution for Food and Seeds • Stop Science/Innovation leaving Europe 13
Want to get involved? • Growing Voices www.growingvoices.eu • Twitter @GrowingVoicesEU #GMtrade • Avaaz petition: tell Greenpeace to Allow Golden Rice! Want to know more? Write to us! Pedro Narro, p.narro@europabio.org 14
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