One thing became crystal clear this morning.
Unlike its counterparts in the U.S., the European Union is not beholden to the powerful ag-biotech industry, as it put the well-being of its citizens and the environment ahead of corporate profits.
In a blockbuster ruling that came out just hours ago and one that could have long-term trade implications for the U.S., the EU’s top court declared that gene-edited plants and animals are genetically-modified and must be regulated as such. What this means is that gene-edited crops, also known as the next generation of GMOs or GMOs 2.0, are required to be fully tested and labeled, and all field trials will be administered in the same way as genetically-modified crops.
Needless to say, environmental and consumer advocacy groups were thrilled about the court’s decision.
“This is an incredibly important and landmark ruling for both the planet and public health. We are happy to see the European Court declare that all products derived from genetic engineering must be regulated and assessed before they are released into the environment or onto the market. The synthetic biology and GMO industry has been spinning hype in the media, but new techniques like CRISPR may have severe impacts on health and the environment. This ruling gives consumers information that the biotech industry in the U.S. is not acknowledging,” said Dana Perls, Senior Food and Agriculture Campaigner with Friends of the Earth.
There are a few things to consider with this ruling.
1) How this decision will impact the USDA’s decision to label gene-edited foods.
When the USDA recently released its proposed federal standard for labeling GMO-foods, also known as the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Law, it was unclear if gene-edited foods would be labeled or not.
It is possible that the EU’s decision today will put added pressure on the USDA to require labels for these foods. We should know sometime over the next few months what the USDA has decided, even though it will not make the July 29th deadline to have a rule in place, as mandated by Congress.
2) How this decision will impact the USDA’s decision to regulate gene-edited foods.
In March of this year, USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue reaffirmed that the “USDA does not currently regulate, or have any plans to regulate plants that could otherwise have been developed through traditional breeding techniques as long as they are developed without the use of a plant pest as the donor or vector and they are not themselves plant pests.”
Two examples of this type of plant are a genetically-engineered moss that produces fragrances and a glyphosate-resistant Kentucky bluegrass.
Regardless of how the USDA views a gene-edited crop, the EU decision has created a real headache for the agency and the entire Trump administration.
As Dr. Steve Suppan, Senior Policy Analyst at the Institute for Agriculture & Trade Policy, pointed out, “U.S. trade representatives will consider this EU ruling to be a trade impediment, and it will be another source of agricultural trade tension.”
Dr. Michael Hansen, Senior Scientist at Consumers Union, agrees. “If other countries are regulating gene-edited crops but we are not, this will create trade problems. If these crops get into international trade channels, very large shipments could be rejected, similar to what happened recently with genetically-engineered wheat in Canada and Syngenta’s genetically-engineered corn, which was blocked by China and cost the U.S. agriculture industry up to $2.9 billion.”
Even though the Trump administration has complete disdain for regulations and an unbridled willingness to placate the ag-biotech industry at the expense of the American consumer, the EU’s decision may force the USDA’s hand to do the right thing and regulate gene-edited crops. If not, the administration’s lack of action will make agricultural trade between the U.S. and the EU much more complicated, potentially costing farmers and food companies billions.
Nevertheless, organic consumers should be grateful that the EU stood up for human and environmental health, and sent a strong message that the well-being of citizens is still important.
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Have a great day! 
Max Goldberg, Founder |
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