BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

December 20, 2005

Belarus announces GM food must be labelled

Labelling of genetically modified (GM) food is now law in Belarus. The Belarus government issued a decree requiring labelling of GMOs in spring this year and it was brought to our attention by Consumers International (CI) member Belorusskoe Obstestvo Zastity Potrehitelei.

The introduction of GM labelling in Belarus follows on from action taken by the Russia government in January 2005 to tighten their law on GM labelling.

Previously, all products in Russia containing more than 5% of GMOs had to be labelled but since January this year all products containing GMOs must be labelled. This amendment was the result of campaigning by Greenpeace and CI member KonfOP, which has become a leading voice in Russia for regulation on GMOs.

The Belarus decree explicitly forbids the production or trade in children's food prepared using GM constituents. This decree, and amendments in Russian law on GM labelling, are encouraging for consumers who have a right safety, and a right to make informed choices. Labelling allows concerned consumers to avoid GM foods.

For more information please contact David Cuming:
dcuming@consint.org or davidcumin@yahoo.fr
or Julia Crosfield (until 23 December): jcrosfield@consint.org

Source:

http://www.checkbiotech.org/root/index.cfm?fuseaction=news&doc_id=11897&start=1&control=205&page_start=1&page_nr=101&pg=1