Views on a European Commission (EC) proposal to amend the regulation of genetically modified (GM) food and feed is being sought by the Food Standards Agency (FSA).
The proposal is designed to allow the UK and other member states to restrict or ban the use of authorised GM food and feed products for non-safety reasons within their territory. Whether or not that is a good idea, however, is now open to comment from all interested parties.
In addition to seeking general views on the potential benefits and risks attached to the proposal, as it applies to UK interests, and an assessment of the potential impact on UK stakeholders, the FSA has asked the following key questions:
- In what ways will different industry sectors be affected by this proposal? (Please provide supporting data).
- What is the current price per ton of the different types of GM feed and non-GM feed?
- Do you foresee any additional costs or benefits (e.g. relabelling, transport, greater separation of GM/non-GM, disposal etc.) that may arise from this proposal? (Please provide information showing the extent of these costs or benefits broken down by activity).
- Do you foresee any risks or uncertainties in relation to this proposal?
- To what extent are there substitutes available for GM feed? What are the barriers to their successful use?
The deadline for responses is October 28, 2015.