Extension of moratorium “For GMO-free agriculture”: consultation proceedings opened
Bern, 08.12.2008 - The Federal Council wants to extend the moratorium “For GMO-free agriculture”, due to run out on 27th. November 2010, by three years. The consultation proceedings on the amendment of the Gene Technology Act were opened at its last session.
The moratorium "Food from non-genetically modified agriculture" that had been accepted by the people and the cantons was valid until 27th. November 2010. Until that date genetically modified plants may not be cultivated and genetically modified animals may not be used for the production of food and agricultural products. The sowing of such plants is allowed under strict controls for research purposes.
A short while after the moratorium had started, the Federal Council launched the National Research Programme on the benefits and risks of the release of genetically modified plants (NFP59). This is to be a contribution to the closing of knowledge gaps. The results and the final report of the NFP59 will be available towards the middle of 2012.
So that the NFP59 can be carried on and finished without political pressure, the Federal Council had already resolved on 14th May 2008 to apply to Parliament for a three-year extension to the moratorium. It charged the Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications DETEC with preparing a dispatch on this matter.
The Federal Council has now opened the consultation proceedings on the amendment of the Gene Technology Act. They will continue until 13th February 2009.
Address for enquiries
Georg Karlaganis, Head of the Section for Materials, Soil, Biotechnology
Federal Office for the Environment FOEN, tel. +41 (0) 79 415 99 62
Documents
Publisher
Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications
https://www.uvek.admin.ch/uvek/en/home.html
