The risk of deregulation of new GMOs (also called New Genomic Techniques, NGTs) agitates farmers and researchers aware of the dangers associated with the invasion of genetically modified seeds throughout Europe, with no possibility for Member States to oppose, as we have seen. (1)
The organization ‘Cambiare il Campo!’ (‘Change the Field’), supported by ASCI (Association of Solidarity for the Italian Countryside), is conducting an information campaign aimed at citizens and agricultural companies, in particular during fairs and markets. Below, the appeal. (2,3)
Deregulation of new GMOs
We are close to a possible deregulation of a wave of new genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in Europe, which could change our agriculture and the food we eat forever.
Until now, the marketing of foods derived from and/or containing GMOs has been tied to specific risk assessment conditions (for human and animal health, biodiversity and the environment).
But this could soon change.
Italian agriculture on sale
The European Commission has proposed to eliminate all these constraints, including the possibility for member states to ban GMOs on their territory. The proposal intends to liberalize new GMOs, with the misleading name of ‘New Genomic Techniques’ (NGTs).
The propaganda of the promoters sees Coldiretti at the forefront, followed by Confagricoltura and CIA. In conflict of interest with the Big 4 (Bayer-Monsanto, Basf, Corteva and ChemChina-Syngenta) which, as we have seen, control 60-70% of the global market for seeds and pesticides.
These organizations are turning their backs on the farmers they claim to represent, to sell off Italian agriculture to multinationals whose strategy is based on the monopoly of patented GMO seeds and plants. What risks do we run and why must we all mobilize?
What we know about new GMOs
New GMOs are not safe for health
NGTS, New Genomic Techniques, are promoted as ‘targeted and precise’ technologies. ANSES, the French Agency for Health and Food Safety, has instead shown how these technologies can actually cause hundreds of involuntary and random cuts in the DNA of the “target” organism. And plants can thus develop new toxins and allergens, potentially harmful to health.
New GMOs are not the answer to climate change
Promoters of genetic engineering claim that their techniques can reduce the use of pesticides and provide crops adapted to extreme climate conditions such as drought and pathogens. However, these claims are unfounded. Over the past thirty years, genetically modified crops have instead led to an increase in the use of pesticides without demonstrating any greater tolerance to drought.
New GMOs are a business for multinationals
Bayer-Monsanto, BASF, Corteva and ChemChina-Syngenta are the largest multinational agrochemical and seed companies in the world. Together, they now control 62% of the global seed market.
Through patents on NGTs, they will make farmers increasingly dependent on a handful of companies.
In the United States, where GMOs have always been deregulated, between 1990 and 2020 the prices paid by farmers for GMO seeds increased by 463%. There is worse.
In a system where there is no longer traceability, biocontamination caused by GMO pollen migrated thanks to pollinators or atmospheric agents, could push patented traits from one field to another, contaminating those of organic or non-GMO farmers. At that point, patent holders could sue farmers for intellectual property infringement, organic farming would lose its value, and our food security would be put at risk.
Marta Strinati
Footnotes
(1) Dario Dongo. New GMOs, the final betrayal. Food Times. 22.3.24
(2) https://cambiareilcampo.noblogs.org/
(3) https://sitoasci.wixsite.com/asci/
Professional journalist since January 1995, he has worked for newspapers (Il Messaggero, Paese Sera, La Stampa) and periodicals (NumeroUno, Il Salvagente). She is the author of journalistic surveys on food, she has published the book "Reading labels to know what we eat".
