Bratislava – Slovakia’s stance on the EU regulation proposal on new genomic techniques (NGT) remains negative. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MPRV) of the Slovak Republic has objections to the categorization of NGT category 1, which does not respect the precautionary principle enshrined in the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU (TFEU). The ministry stated this in a position on a declaration by 200 organizations from Europe that opposed the planned deregulation of new genetically modified crops (GMOs). This was reported by the spokesperson of MPRV SR, Veronika Daničová, to TASR.
“The Slovak Republic has principled objections to the categorization of NGT category 1, which does not respect the precautionary principle enshrined in the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU. Techniques of targeted genomic engineering are new, not to mention their products, and therefore a scientific evaluation of the impact of a specific NGT category 1 plant on human and animal health and the environment, including biodiversity, is necessary according to Slovakia,” stated MPRV.
The ministry added that Slovakia has objections to the proposed regulation, which stipulates that in the case of NGT category 1 plants, only propagating material should be labeled, with the aim of ensuring the right to choose for growers and breeders. “Slovakia objects to this regulation as labeling is not required throughout the entire production chain (i.e., from farm to table) in the proposal. Just like growers and breeders, other consumers should also have the right to choose with NGT products, and therefore Slovakia is of the opinion that labeling of NGT-1 plant products, including food and feed, should be ensured,” the department explained.
The agricultural sector explained that according to the EU regulation proposal, NGT plants and their products should be divided into two categories – NGT category 1 according to criteria proposed by the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission and the European Food Safety Authority, which would be assessed as conventional production, and NGT category 2, which would still fall under the legislative framework for GMOs.
The proposal is to be discussed next Friday (February 14) under the Polish presidency of the EU Council.
“The compromise proposal of the Polish presidency in the EU Council mainly concerns ensuring balance between patent protection and breeders’ access to NGT propagation material and does not address the fundamental concerns of member states, including Slovakia, forming a fragile blocking minority. For this reason, Slovakia’s stance on the NGT regulation proposal remains negative,” stated MPRV.
Over 200 organizations from Europe have opposed the planned deregulation of new GMOs. Among them are breeders, farmers, civil society, manufacturers as well as food retailers. They criticized the deregulation of new GMOs and called for its cessation. The declaration was also signed by 30 Slovak signatories. (February 13)
