Foodstuffs New popular initiative calls for freedom of choice for or against genetic engineering

A new popular initiative demands freedom of choice for consumers and producers for or against food produced with genetic engineering. The initiators are calling for a regulation that will one day replace the moratorium on genetic engineering.

The food protection initiative was published in the Federal Gazette on Tuesday. The initiative committee has until March 3, 2026 to collect the 100,000 valid signatures required for the initiative to come into force.

Among other things, the initiative demands that genetically modified plants and animals and food produced from them must be tested and approved before they are placed on the market. Genetically modified organisms should - in favor of freedom of choice - have to be labeled.

Until the constitutional amendment comes into force, the genetic engineering moratorium, which has been extended four times to date, is to remain in place. The initiative is supported by the Association for GMO-free Food. It is supported by organizations from agriculture, consumer protection and environmental protection.

SDA