IN A SURPRISE move, the Cabinet yesterday approved the separation of genetically-modified (GM) foods on supermarket shelves, in a development that is not likely to be welcomed in commercial quarters.
The idea, first mooted by the Green Party, has been floating around for over seven years with little enthusiasm seen for its implementation until now.
However, acting government spokesman Christos Christofides said after the yesterday’s cabinet meeting that the law was being amended with the aim of “fully informing and protecting the Cypriot consumer”.
“The Cabinet approved today the Food (control and sale) Act amendment. The objective of this bill is to keep consumers fully informed on products, which are either genetically modified, or are made up of genetically modified ingredients,” Christofides said.
“More specifically, the proposed legislation requires the placement of food which is genetically modified or food containing genetically modified ingredients on separate shelves in supermarkets and other places of sale with the parallel placement in a prominent position, a sign, stating clearly that these are GM foods, or food containing GM ingredients,” he added.
The law could however have a tough time passing through parliament given the amount of vested interests involved. Commercial quarters are not likely to want to see many of their products being shunned by consumers who generally have an aversion to GM products.
The issue blew up some five years ago when President Demetris Christofias was still AKEL leader and House President when Washington “strongly urged” him “unofficially” to make sure such a bill never got thought parliament or it would damage Cypriot-US relations.
The warning came in an unsigned letter from the US embassy in Nicosia to Christofias, on unheaded paper, which was leaked to the press by the Green Party, the proponents of the bill. “The bill is in essence a poke in the eye of the US,” said the unsigned letter.
“Should there be a vote, I strongly urge your party (AKEL) to oppose passage of this bill,” it added.
The Green Party felt that the current labeling of controversial GM products was inadequate and wants them clearly displayed so that the public has a choice whether to purchase them or not.
The US is the biggest produce of GM foods and the embassy letter said plans to separate them were tantamount to “stigmatising” the products that have been found safe by the European Commission experts”.
Under EU legislation each member state is free to display these foods as it sees fit. The bloc also has tough labeling standards.
