GMO-situation in Norway Kathrine & Marte, Nordic-Baltic NGO meeting 2012
No GM food legalized • Norway is not an EU member • Gets applictaions for marketing of GMOs via the EEA (European Economic Agreement) • 12 GMOs approved for sale in Norway: Varieties of tobacco and ornamental flowers • 5 GMOs banned in Norway: 3 types of oil seed rape, one corn variety and one cikory • No field trials (some contained research)
GM free feed (so far…) No GMOs are approved for feed use so far Unclear situation in aquaculture (fish feed) The entire Agricultural business is sceptical and pays a premium price to get GM free soy from Brazil
40+ applications pending • Coalition govt, minor parties sceptical. Major party in govt (social democrats) more concerned about free trade. • 4 applications has been pending for 4 years • 39 applications in the pipeline…
The Norwegian Gene Technology Act Deliberale release of GMOs: -No adverse health effects -No harm to the environment -Benefit to the society -Contribute to sustainable developement GMO-Free Europe Conference 2010
Nettwork for GM free food and feed • Precautionary principle • Demand more research 18 organisations: Biologisk-dynamisk forening, Coop Handel Norge, Debio, Framtiden i våre hender, Greenpeace, Grønn hverdag, Natur og Ungdom, Naturvernforbundet, Norges Birøkterlag, Norges Bondelag, Norges Bygdekvinnelag, Norges Bygdeungdomslag, Norges Miljøvernforbund, Norsk bonde- og småbrukarlag, Norsk landbrukssamvirke, Oikos – Økologisk Norge, Spire – Utviklingsfondets Ungdom, Utviklingsfondet + Coop Norge Handel
How influential is the Network?
Past campaigns Trying to make the politicians aware of and proud of the Gene Tech Act
Current campains Information campain in 2012 • •
Soya, bomull, mais og oljeraps
Future plans
Nordic-baltic cooperation • We are here to listen and learn • KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK