The Use of GM Crops in Developing Countries
Regulation 1830/2003/EC on Traceability and Labelling
5.20 Regulation 1830/2003/EC concerning traceability and labelling of genetically modified organisms and traceability of food and feed products produced from genetically modified organisms and amending Directive 2001/18/EC was formally adopted by the Council of Ministers in July 2003. It has the objective of controlling and verifying labelling claims; facilitating the monitoring of potential effects of GMOs on the environment; and enabling the withdrawal of products that contain or consist of GMOs that might prove to pose unforeseen risks to human health or the environment. The Regulation requires the labelling of all foods produced from GMOs. However, in November 2002, the European Council agreed that food and feed do not have to be labelled if the amount of genetically modified material is below a threshold of 0.9%, and if its presence could be shown to be unintentional and technically unavoidable. The threshold for the presence of GMOs which have not yet received approval in the EU was set at 0.5%. Although the primary criterion for labelling is detectibility, processed foodstuffs such as highly refined oils derived from GM crops, which do not contain genetic material of the original GM crop, still have to be labelled as ‘GM’ according to the new Regulation.10
5.21 With regard to traceability, the Regulation requires that GMOs must be traceable throughout the entire production and distribution process. Thus, a company selling GM seed must inform any purchaser that the seed has been genetically modified, supplying specified information on the identity of the individual GMO(s). The company is required to keep a register of all recipients of the seed concerned for five years. Similarly, farmers who buy GM seed must transmit relevant information to those who buy their harvest, and keep a register of recipients. In the case of food and feed produced from GM crops, the process is repeated throughout the production and distribution chain.
Footnotes10 However, food produced with the help of a GM enzyme, such as bakery products that involve amylase, do not need to be labelled.