The GMO-Network in Norway works for freedom of choice for consumers and farmers
The network will help to maintain a restrictive practice towards GMOs in Norway in a situation where legislation and business are under pressure. We will through information and other measures, help to spread this precautionary approach to GMOs. The network wishes to build alliances internationally to establish food sovereignty, including the right to reject GMOs in food and feed.
Organizations affiliated with the network:
The need for more knowledge
Genetic engineering differs from traditional breeding and processing in both radicalism and pace. This calls for a precautionary approach to GMOs. More independent research on long-term consequences for the environment and human health is necessary.
Adverse effects on the environment and conventional/organic farming
The network is not against GMOs in general, but against the GMOs on the market today. In our opinion, they have adverse effects on the ecological system and cause unacceptable trouble for conventional and organic farming.
Ensure freedom of choice for consumers and farmers
It has proved very difficult to keep GMOs separate from conventional agriculture. Cross-contamination may occur anywhere along the way from farm to table. The safest way to ensure freedom of choice in the future is therefore to ask for non-genetically modified products today.
Sufficient, safe food for everyone – alternatives to GMOs:
Food production must be increased under conditions that are ecologically, economically and socially sustainable. More effort and research must be invested in agro-ecological farming methods that have often proved to be more efficient than GMO farming.
Loss of diversity and control of seed and food sources.
Today the use of genetically modified plants reinforces the use of extreme monocultural and patent systems, which threatens the biodiversity of both food crops and wildlife. We find it unacceptable that private companies should hold power over food. Our aim is foodsovereignty for all nations and people, including the right to reject GMOs.
Norwegian legislation
The Norwegian Gene Technology Act is among the world’s strictest. It requires that genetically modified products contribute to sustainable development in order to be approved. It is ethically unacceptable to permit the import and use of GMOs grown in other countries that are not allowed to be cultivated in Norway.