Genetically modified foods are fast on the growth despite global concerns over their safety and environmental impact.
Here are some statistics put forward by the Consumers International (CI) :
- In 2004, some 81 million hectares were planted in GM crops, an increase of 20% from 2003.
- In the same year, 29% of the four principal GM crops (soybean, cotton, canola and corn) were genetically modified, a 16% increase from the previous year.
- The United States is currently the main GM crops growing country contributing to 59% of the global area. Together with Argentina (20%), Canada (6%), Brazil (6%), China (5%), they contributed about 96% of the global area.
CI's public opinion polls show that consumers are concerned about GM foods because of potential risks to human health. GM technology involves transferring genes between unrelated species which is completely different from existing conventional breeding techniques and has yet to be proven safe. Other major concerns are increased control of the food chain by corporations, and about the benefits of GMOs to farmers.
Consumers International believes that:
- Consumers have a right to information, a right to choice and a right to safety.
- Codex Alimentarius should enact strong guidelines on the labelling of GM products, and compulsory labelling should be implemented in all countries to ensure consumer choice.
- Ensure that all GM foods are subjected to rigorous, independent safety testing, are adequately labeled, and traceable back to their origin, and that producers are held liable for environmental or health damage which they may cause.
- Alternatives to GM foods remain widely available to consumers.
- Ways must be found to establish and secure GM-free areas.
- Establish strict rules to prevent contamination of conventional and organic crops.
The Consumer Council is in favour and in support of a GM food labelling system to be implemented as soon as possible in Hong Kong to ensure consumer choice and ease consumer concerns.
The Government conducted a public consultation on labelling of GM food in 2001. An impact assessment study was subsequently completed in 2003. It is now actively preparing a set of voluntary GM food labelling guidelines.
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