[Note: This report on the Germany’s agricultural industry is published annually by the USDA.]
Public rejection of genetically engineered (GE) plants in Germany is widespread; there is no commercial GE crop production and practically no foods labeled as Genetically Modified Organisms (“GMO”) on the market. Despite this, Germany is home to world-class companies that develop and supply GE seeds globally. … The next federal election is in September 2017, and GE policy might be subject to change.
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Polling shows German public opposition to GE foods runs steadily in the 80 percent range with a presumed high degree of familiarity with the issue. For nearly a generation, German environmental and consumer activists have protested against the use of biotechnology in agriculture – both in Germany and globally. Biotech test plots, which are used both as a research tool and are a required part of the EU regulatory approval process, were destroyed by vandals so often that test plots are no longer attempted in Germany today.
In the current environment there is little prospect of developing a German market for GE crops or foods, other than the existing feed market for soybeans. Political, business, regulatory, and social barriers raise questions about the long-term competitiveness of German agricultural biotechnology.
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Germany, nonetheless, remains a major consumer of GE products since it imports more than six million metric tons of soybeans and soy meal for animal feed annually. There is little public awareness or discussion of GE animals.
The GLP aggregated and excerpted this article to reflect the diversity of news, opinion and analysis. Read full, original post: Germany Agricultural Biotechnology Annual 2017
