Consumer News

House approves project that needs transgenic symbol on labels

04/29/2015

transparent image


The discussion on the topic was intense between favorable deputies and against the measure. Text will go to the Senate

RIO - The floor of the House of Representatives approved late on Tuesday by 320 votes to 135, the deputy of the bill Luis Carlos Heinze (PP-RS), which finishes with the transgenic Symbol requirement on product labels with genetically modified organisms, such as soybean oil, corn and derivatives.

The text adopted as an amendment from Mr Valdir Colatto (PMDB-SC), must still be voted on by the Senate. Text discipline the information to be included on packaging to inform about the presence of GM ingredients in food. In practice, the bill repeals Decree 4,680 / 03, which already regulates the matter.

According to the House Agency information, Congressman Luis Carlos Heinze said that changing the design omits information about the existence of transgenic products.

"I think Brazil can adopt the legislation as other countries. Biotech is a safe product, "he said.

According to him, there is no information about GMOs in the labeling rules set out in Mercosur, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the United Nations (UN).

According to the approved text, the labels of packaging for final consumption of food and food ingredients intended for human or animal consumption shall be informed to the consumer the presence of transgenic elements in index greater than 1% of its final composition, if detected in analysis specific.

The wording of the project sets aside the need, imposed by decree the consumer be informed of the donor gene species in the place reserved for the identification of ingredients.

Written information about the presence of GMOs should meet the minimum font size defined in Regulation General Labeling Technical Packaged Food, which is 1 mm.

FREE

In the case of foods that do not contain genetically modified organisms, the approved design maintains the current decree rule that allows the use of labeling "GMO-free".

Highlight EN approved by the deputies withdrew the text provided that these products without genetic modification could use this label only if there were no similar transgenics in Brazil.

The text still requires, however, the proof of the total absence of GMOs through specific analysis, which may hinder the exercise of this right by the farmers, who would have to pay the analysis in order to use the expression.

DISCUSSION INTENSE

The discussion on the topic was intense and there was no consensus among parliamentarians, especially among the major parties of the government's power base, PT and PMDB.

Congressman Alessandro Molon to (PT-RJ), the bill Cassa, in practice, the right of the consumer to know whether or not transgenic. "Is it correct to withhold the consumer this information? Is sure to draw a right to know whether or not GM? "He asked.

Congressman Darcísio Perondi (PMDB-RS) defended the measure and noted that the Biosafety Law (11.105 / 05), which regulated the use of transgenic, was ten years old this month. "They said that GM could cause cancer. Now renew the language. "

The leader of PV, Deputy Sarney Filho (MA), said the project is a step backward in the current legislation. "The text touches on what is working. Agribusiness is giving a shot in the foot. Why retroactive?" He asked. He said the text does not add anything about genetic modification, only removes information.

Congressman Dominic Savio (PSDB-MG) noted that 90% of soybeans and corn sold in Brazil have GMOs in its composition and thus the entire production chain of those products, such as meat and milk. "The project is excellent, we guarantee the consumer's right to be informed," he said.



Source: The Globe

To access the site O Globo, click here.

Our news are taken in full of our partner sites. For this reason, we can not change their content even in cases of typos

This article was translated by an automatic translation system, and was therefore not reviewed by people.