European Commission DG TRADE 1 EU NEW GMO LEGISLATION Regulation 1829/2003 Regulation 1830/2003 Ottawa – Winnipeg June 2005

2 The EU today 25 Member States since May 1st Member States since May 1st 2004 Population 455 million (7.3% of world) Population 455 million (7.3% of world) GDP over € 9,500 billion (28% of world) GDP over € 9,500 billion (28% of world) Total trade with the world € 1.3 billion imports. A single currency € A single currency €

3 EU – NAFTA Ag.trade

4 Food Safety A series of unfortunate crisis 1995: BSE crisis 1995: BSE crisis [1997: First shipments of GM soy/corn] [1997: First shipments of GM soy/corn] 1999: Dioxin crisis 1999: Dioxin crisis 2000: UK F & M out-break 2000: UK F & M out-break Food safety is high on consumers’ / citizens agenda Food safety is high on consumers’ / citizens agenda

5 Consumers’ trust in various organizations (1) Medical profession 54% (1) Medical profession 54% (2) Consumer organizations49% (2) Consumer organizations49% (3) Environmental organizations46% (3) Environmental organizations46% … (7) International organizations17% (7) International organizations17% (8) National government bodies 14% (8) National government bodies 14% Source: Eurobarometer 2002

6 Europeans are also concerned about their environment 24% of EU citizens are concerned about the use of GMOs in Ag. (But 43% in some MS) 40% of EU citizens consider that they lack information on GMOs in Agriculture. Environmental NGOs remain the most trusty sources of information (42%) before scientists (32%) Source: Eurobarometer 2004

7 Working on a solution Crucial need to regain consumer confidence 2000 White paper on food safety ‘’Farm to fork” strategy Transparency and consumer choice of utmost importance But measures must be feasible

8 EU Biotech What’s the problem? Biotech industry employed poor marketing strategy Scaremongering / opportunistic organizations Food processors/retailers went GM free Consumers: why take possible risk if there’s no benefit

9 New legislation [Directive 2001/18 on environmental release – in place since 2002) Regulation 1829/2003 on GM Food and Feed Regulation 1830/2003 on Traceability and labelling of GMOs and traceability of GM food and feed. Apply since April 2004