German oilseed processors call for commitment to genetic engineering
At the start of the year, the oilseed processing industry (OVID) wishes the new German government courage and determination to achieve the goals agreed in the coalition agreement. These include the restructuring of the energy supply, further development of the Nutri-Score and the reduction of bureaucracy.
Tuesday, January 4, 2022
"Important issues for the future remain unresolved," says OVID President Jaana Kleinschmit von Lengefeld. For example, as part of the critical infrastructure, the food industry depends on internationally competitive energy costs and functioning supply chains. "We need more security in raw material and energy supply. A practical, unbureaucratic carbon leakage protection in the national emissions trading system is urgently needed so that we can implement effective climate protection in Germany," the OVID president added.
In order to secure the supply of food, he said, the focus must be on the supply of raw materials to the German food industry. "Germany and the EU are and will remain dependent on imports for oilseeds. Despite sensible efforts to promote more regionality and domestic cultivation, it will be possible to change this only to a limited extent," explained Kleinschmit von Lengefeld.
With the start of a new year and a new federal government, the industry would like to see more political support and acceptance for the new breeding techniques. "We are convinced that the Nobel Prize-winning gene shear CRISPR/Cas offers the entire world enormous potential for sustainable agriculture. According to the coalition agreement, the federal government wants to 'Take a chance toward more progress', which would also mean promoting innovation and recognizing scientific risk assessment," the OVID president concluded.
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