On May 5, 2009, the BASF company staff held several "Amflora" genetically modified potatoes.
EU Commission approves planting of genetically modified potatoes in member states, triggering strong protests
“Europeans realize that food will not always be surplus and cheap. In 2050, the world population is expected to grow to 9 billion, and the demand for food will increase by 70%. It is necessary to develop genetically modified foods that are resistant to drought.â€
- Researcher Joe Schneider, Research Center for European Policy, Think Tank
"You are firmly opposed to genetically modified foods. This is your right."
- European Commission President Barroso
On March 9, the European Parliament’s Greens-Liberty League caucus struck a slogan “for non-GM Europe†in a debate with Barroso. Barroso congratulated on their enthusiasm and shouted the above sentence.
Recently, the European Commission approved the planting of genetically modified potatoes in EU countries, and strictly stipulated planting conditions. This is the second type of genetically modified crop approved by the European Union following the introduction of genetically modified corn. This decision was considered as a change in the European Commission’s position on GM crops. In spite of this, the voices of protest from within the EU have come to an end. What is genetically modified and demonized? Why does the EU keep GM foods out the door? What prompted the EU's attitude to change?
A small potato called Amflora is stirring up a big storm in Europe.
Everything is because this potato is wearing a "genetically modified" hat. On March 2nd, the European Commission announced that it has approved EU member states to plant "Amflora" genetically modified potatoes developed by BASF in Germany. This is the first time in the EU that the "green light" has been planted for the cultivation of genetically modified foods in the past 13 years. This led to a fierce protest and controversy within the EU.
"The Frankenstein's Food"
Genetically modified foods are widely recognized in the United States, but Europeans are disgusted. In Europe, genetically modified foods are considered "French Frankenstein foods."
The so-called genetically modified food is the use of biotechnology to transfer the genes of certain organisms to other species, transform the genetic material of organisms, and transform them into humans in terms of shape, nutritional quality, and consumer quality. Foods that are processed or produced by using genetically modified organisms as direct food or as raw materials are genetically modified foods.
However, the European Commission does not consider "Amflora" genetically modified potatoes to be harmful to health or the environment.
At a press conference, John Daly, member of the European Commission responsible for health and consumer affairs, confidently assured that: "The scientific problems of the safety of GM foods have undergone years of rigorous analysis, all scientific problems and risks, especially Everything related to safety has been completely resolved."
The European Commission promised that "Amflora" genetically modified potatoes will not appear on the tables of European citizens. The main purpose of planting such potatoes is to obtain ample starches for industrial use such as papermaking, and its by-products can also be used to produce livestock feed. Potatoes optimized for cultivation are rich in starch, which simplifies the process of producing industrial starch and saves raw materials, energy, water and other chemical excipients.
Opponents Approve Government Profits
However, these advantages do not eliminate European doubts about genetically modified foods. This decision of the European Union triggered strong opposition from environmental protection organizations and some member countries.
Opponents especially pointed out the risks to health and the environment of GM foods. They believe that GM crops will harm biodiversity, reduce plant's natural immunity to pests and diseases, and it will be difficult to prevent cross-pollination between GM crops and non-GM crops.
The spokesman for the “Friends of the Earth†environmental group, Heike Modehl, criticized the safety of GM foods as inconclusive. The European Commission’s decision was “to place profits before people’s healthâ€. “GM potatoes carry A controversial antibiotic-resistant bacteria, there is currently no guarantee that the bacteria will not enter the human food chain."
The opposition to genetically modified foods is greatest in the United Kingdom, Austria, Italy, Hungary, Greece and France.
Although the European Commission "greenlighted" the "Amflora" genetically modified potatoes, EU member states still have the right to decide whether to plant such potatoes in their own country.
The Italian government made the brunt of the opposition, saying that "not only against this decision, but also to emphasize the independence of the country in dealing with this issue." Austria decided to ban the cultivation of "Amflora" genetically modified potatoes in its territory. France will form an investigation team to study the safety of planting. The German government of BASF stated that it will only grow small areas in the eastern region.
Earlier, the European Union approved the planting of Monsanto's GM corn MON810 in 1998. However, due to concerns about safety, the six EU member states, Austria, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary and Luxembourg have successively banned the cultivation of the GM maize.
GM rejected and trade-related
“European people's acceptance of genetically modified foods is very low because there are hidden concerns about the safety of the genetically modified foods and the threat to the environment. There is currently no convincing scientific conclusion.†Tian Dewen, European Researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, explains this. Why GM foods were "refused" in Europe.
Food safety has always been the most sensitive issue for Europeans. A survey conducted by the European Polling Agency “European Indicators†in 2008 showed that 52% of EU citizens believe that biotechnology has improved their quality of life, but 58% are uneasy about using biotechnology to develop genetically modified foods.
Professor Tian Dewen said that in addition to safety concerns, the EU has historically refused to consider genetically modified food trade.
"In the EU, which implements a common agricultural policy, the government's subsidy for agriculture is very large, which makes its agricultural global competitiveness weaker. Genetically modified foods have the advantages of cheaper prices and higher yields. The EU has therefore strictly restricted imports of genetically modified foods. "Tian Dewen said.
At present, GM crops account for less than 0.12% of the EU's agriculture, most of which are grown in Spain. In the world, the EU’s land for planting genetically modified crops only accounts for 0.08% of the world’s total.
How can the GM deadlock be broken?
However, in the face of huge objections, why did the European Commission "break the deadlock"? The R&D and promotion of genetically modified agriculture has gradually become a global trend. This is a big motivation.
Take soybeans as an example. The demand for soybeans in the European Union is huge. Most of them need to be imported. At present, 75% to 80% of the world's soybean crops are genetically modified. According to EU regulations, genetic modification of any agricultural product is more than 0.9% of its own gene is classified as genetically modified food. Many imported soybeans are returned due to non-compliance with EU standards, resulting in a large number of legal disputes.
The chairman of the European Commission, Barroso, who is tired of such disputes, has repeatedly stated that he hopes that the EU will start a "science-based rather than emotional" discussion on GM foods.
Prior to the announcement of the introduction of genetically modified potatoes, Barroso, the “supporting faction†of genetically modified foods, called several meetings of representatives of 27 member states and vowed to break the political stalemate on genetic modification.
Business lobby groups also play a role. They warned that the EU's failure to accept genetically modified foods would be costly: Farmers would not be able to control new technologies that would save money and would be at a disadvantage in competition. Companies do not have enough incentive to develop biotechnology.
"We have a long way to catch up. When the United States, Brazil, India, and China went hand in hand to carry out genetic engineering research, we have lost a group of outstanding scientists." Willie Griff, Secretary General of the European Biotechnology Industry Association Say. Reporter Wu Ni
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