Have the article read by OpenAI (Beta). Please note that AI translations may take some time to process.Brussels (dpa) – A sufficient majority is emerging among EU countries in favour of allowing some genetically modified food to be sold in supermarkets without special labelling in the future.
Enough EU countries signalled their support for the relaxation of the relevant genetic engineering regulations at a committee meeting of the bloc’s permanent representatives on Friday.
Germany abstained from the discussion, while eight other countries did not agree to the proposal. However, there was still a sufficient majority.
“With this agreement, we have taken a major step towards strengthening the competitiveness of the European agricultural and food sector,” a statement from Denmark said, which currently holds the rotating presidency of the European Union.
Now that the EU countries have given their approval to the compromise negotiated by representatives, the European Parliament’s Environment Committee plans to vote on the agreement at its next meeting in January.
German environment minister criticises move
German Environment Minister Carsten Schneider described the decision in Brussels as a serious mistake. ‘If the European Parliament does not correct this mistake, the focus will be on limiting the damage for Germany,’ the minister said.
He said that genetically unmodified agriculture must stay both viable and affordable. Supply chains are needed to ensure that genetically modified plants and products can be distinguished from GMO-free ones, Schneider expressed. (December 19)
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