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Science & Technology
Photo: DPA

WWF: We're all eating GM-based meat

Published: 21 Aug 12 11:07 CET | Print version
Online: http://www.thelocal.de/sci-tech/20120821-44481.html

Although genetically modified food is banned in Germany, nearly all the eggs, chicken and pork produced here are based on GM soya products – and is not labelled as such, the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF) said on Tuesday.

"Genetic engineering in meat, eggs or cheese is landing on our plates and we don't know it," warned WWF consultant Birgit Wilhelm. "Until now, food that comes from animals that have been fed with genetically modified feed does not have to be labelled."

That is exactly what the WWF is now calling for - mandatory labelling on all animal-based products which contain GM components.

Wilhelm said the current regulations were ridiculous - growing genetically modified soya beans is banned in the European Union, but according to WWF estimates, over 80 percent of the 4.5 million tonnes of soya products on the German market is genetically modified.

Soya oil and soybean meal is imported into the EU from the US, Argentina, and Brazil, and is highly favoured as a feed because of its high protein content.

"Europe has made a clear decision: the consumer does not want genetic engineering," she said.

The WWF is calling on German meat producers to use GM-free soya beans or native feed, like broad beans or peas instead, which they say is only marginally more expensive. Wilhelm also said that there were plenty of GM-free soya beans on the world market to sustain farmers.

"Buyers just have to order larger quantities of GM-free produce," said Wilhelm. "Then more will be produced."

She also said that rising demand for meat in the developing world did not mean there was no alternative to GM feed. "Europe is still a big importer - big enough to have a long-term influence on crop growing habits," she said. "Europe has to take the lead - it has to start somewhere."

The WWF believes it is ecologically irresponsible to establish vast single-crop farming plantations, particularly if they have been genetically modified to resist herbicides. This means that herbicides kill off other plants, which has a massive effect on local ecosystems.

The Local/DAPD/bk

What do you think? Leave your comment below.


Your comments about this article:

13:34 August 21, 2012 by grazhdanin
As a matter of fact, vegetarians and vegans don't ever eat GM-based meat.
14:59 August 21, 2012 by whiteriver
....and so their eggs are bio!
07:08 August 22, 2012 by sally#
Genetic engineering isn't a mature subject and the side effects is still unknowing to us. The products we eat everyday unlabeled with GM are acutally GM products. How terrible it is! What else can we believe?
09:47 August 22, 2012 by raandy
GM foods do not have a label requirement, we are all eating more GM than we think.

Labeling foods that have GM in their ingredients is a step in the right direction.Consumers need to know what is in the foods they eat.

There has been no long term testing or research as to the effects on the environment and health.The USA approved these GM foods with the assumption that the risks are the same as unmodified plants.This was a big mistake.
05:08 August 23, 2012 by RAY THOR
Genetic engineering can extend the life-span of humans. It can be used for good or evil purposes, many of which we are not presently aware. It will change every aspect of our culture. In scientific research when you open one door of discovery you find many more doors across the threshold. I wrote an ebook mystery novel on the subject titled BLOODGUILTY which is available on KINDLE bookstore by RAYMOND THOR.

Click here:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref=sr_nr_i_0?rh=k%3Araymond+thor%2Ci%3Adigital-text&keywords=raymond+thor&ie=UTF8&qid=1344014633
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