Co-op is first UK supermarket to reject GM gene-edited crops and animals without safety checks

Co-op is first UK supermarket to reject GM gene-edited crops and animals without safety checks

If you want to respond to the UK government's public consultation on gene editing but only have 5 minutes, here's the guidance.
If you can put in a longer response, here's the guidance.
It's crucial that the government gets lots of responses asking for risky new gene-edited products to stay regulated under GMO laws.
1. Co-op joins war on 'Frankenfood': Store becomes first British supermarket to reject GM crops and animals without strict assessments – Daily Mail
2. Co-op says #NotInMySupermarket to gene editing – Beyond GM
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1. Co-op joins war on 'Frankenfood': Store becomes first British supermarket to reject GM crops and animals without strict assessments

By SEAN POULTER
DAILY MAIL, 19 Feb 2021
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9276737/Co-op-British-supermarket-reject-GM-crops-animals-without-strict-assessments.html
* The company has thrown its weight behind the #NotInMySupermarket campaign
* The food campaign is coordinated by the groups Beyond GM and SlowFood UK
* According to surveys, majority of UK shoppers oppose genetically modified food
The Co-op has become the first UK supermarket to reject genetically edited food crops and animals without strict assessment and labels.
The move comes amid a Government review on the controversial items, dubbed ‘Frankenstein foods’.
Ministers are consulting on removing some controls, which might include dropping mandatory labelling on foods which contain genetically edited ingredients.
The Co-op has thrown its weight behind the #NotInMySupermarket campaign coordinated by the groups Beyond GM and SlowFood UK.
A joint letter from the groups – signed by more than 50 leading civil society groups, academics and producers – calls for UK supermarkets to respect the wishes of their customers.
According to surveys, the majority of shoppers oppose genetically engineered foods.
It also asks the retailers to show leadership by supporting strict regulation of genetically engineered crops and foods as well as refusing to stock unregulated, unlabelled gene-edited foods in their stores.
In response, Co-op chief Jo Whitfield said genetic editing was one of several new technologies that ‘may in the future help us’.
But she added: ‘As with any new technology, it is important citizens are assured about food safety and the environmental and economic impacts are thoroughly understood before any decisions on widespread adoption are made...
‘We would expect the Government to clearly set out how it intends to regulate gene editing.’
She said: ‘We have no current plans to change our policy on prohibiting genetically modified (GM) organisms, which includes organisms produced by gene editing.’
Campaigners are hopeful that other supermarkets and food manufacturers will follow suit.
For years the Daily Mail’s Frankenstein Food Watch campaign has highlighted concerns over genetically modified (GM) foods, amid fears they could harm the environment and even human health.
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2. Co-op says #NotInMySupermarket to gene editing

Staff Reporter
Beyond GM, February 18, 2021
https://beyond-gm.org/co-op-says-notinmysupermarket-to-gene-editing/
In response to a civil society appeal for UK supermarkets to back strong regulation of new gene-edited crops and animals, the Co-op has made a clear statement of its support.
The #NotInMySupermarket campaign is a response to the current UK government consultation on removing regulations and labelling from plants and animals in the food chain created using a new experimental genetic engineering technique called ‘gene editing.’
A joint letter, organised by Beyond GM and Slow Food UK, and signed by more than 50 UK leading civil society groups, academics and producers, calls for UK supermarkets to respect the wishes of their customers – the majority of whom, surveys show, oppose genetically engineered foods. It also asks the retailers to show leadership by supporting strong regulation of genetically engineered crops and foods and refusing to stock unregulated, unlabelled gene-edited foods in their stores.
In response to the letter, which has generated media coverage and a lively awareness-raising campaign on social media, Co-op Chief Executive, Jo Whitfield says:
“Genetic editing is one of several new technologies and innovations that may in the future help us to address the challenges facing our global food system. However, as with any new technology, it is important citizens are assured about food safety and the environmental and economic impacts are thoroughly understood before any decisions on widespread adoption are made. To this end, scrutiny by independent scientists and officials, as well as engagement with civil society, is essential. We would expect government to clearly set out how it intends to regulate gene editing, whilst providing clear conditions of use and any labelling requirements. We have no current plans to change our policy on prohibiting genetically modified (GM) organisms, which includes organisms produced by gene editing.”
Beyond GM and Slow Food UK are in dialogue with a number of other supermarkets about the letter, but are delighted that Co-op has made a clear first step that others can follow.
Shane Holland, Executive Chairman of Slow Food in the UK says “The Co-op is reassuring the majority of the UK public – who don’t want GMO/gene edited foods on the shelves – that their wishes are respected. I am certain that they will gain a competitive advantage over other stores in doing so.”
Pat Thomas Director of Beyond GM adds: “The Co-op’s thoughtful response shows respect for its customers but also for science. It demonstrates the understanding that gene-editing is a technology that creates GMOs and therefore should be regulated in order to protect people and the environment. This is a big step forward.”
See the full press release here:
https://beyond-gm.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Coop-Response_Gene-Editing_Supermarkets_PR_Final-180221.pdf

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