"Clearer labelling and better public information is needed to give Welsh consumers a real choice on GM" - that was the message of Welsh Labour Rural Affairs spokesperson, Joyce Watson, on the day the Welsh Assembly Government announced tougher restrictions on the cultivation of GM crops in Wales.
The call came as the Minister for Rural Affairs announced her intention to publish a public consultation setting out proposals to put in place tighter "co-existence arrangements" between GM, conventional and organic crops in Wales.
The rules for labelling GM products are governed by the European Parliament. At the moment, food with 0.9% or more of GM ingredients has to be labelled. However, milk, meat and eggs from animals reared on GM feed do not have to be labelled. While the UK poultry industry has a self imposed ban on GM feed, other UK livestock and dairy products have no such restrictions.
The Mid and West Wales AM said that the rules needed clarification:
"Under the current rules, labelling of food which is made from GM crops is pretty clear and well understood by Welsh consumers, but what it is not clear is whether or not a meat or dairy product has come from an animal reared on GM feedstuff.
"While the debate about the pros and cons of GM goes on, what should not be in any doubt is that Welsh consumers have the right to make fully informed decisions when it comes to the food they buy and eat."
In response the Minister said that while labelling is ultimately a matter for European consideration, it is important that Welsh consumers have confidence in labelling. She announced that she had held recent discussion with interested parties, including the GM Free alliance in Wales, about the need to improve labelling and information to consumers on the GM content of feedstuff.
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