Excessive regulation, trade wars may give rise to black market for biotech crops, experts say

The rise in global trade wars and the recent EU decision to classify new plant breeding techniques (NPBTs) as genetically modified organisms will inevitably impact food safety and quality, experts warn.

According to EU report published [in September], EU customs authorities seized over 31 million fake goods with a street value of €580 million in 2017, and food accounted for almost one quarter (24%) of these.

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With the rise of trade wars …. between China and the US, and tensions between other countries, we think it will have an impact on food. It’s a global market and most food is imported from other countries. These [political developments] will foster a grey market and lead to food fraud and food smuggling.

An increase in counterfeit and contraband products in the supply chain could directly impact the work of purchasers and quality control managers …. as they will be at risk of buying illegal ingredients.

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Another ‘hot topic’ on quality control managers’ radar is the recent European Court of Justice July decision that ruled New Plant Breeding Techniques (NPBTs) are considered genetically modified organisms, a stance that put it at odds with other international regulatory bodies, such as the US Ministry of Agriculture.

“[The ruling] means that these products are forbidden in the EU unless specifically authorized and none are authorized yet.”

Read full, original article: Trade wars and NPBTs are the new frontiers of food fraud & quality control, experts warn