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Winfried Kretschmann, Photo: State Ministry of Baden-Württemberg, License CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
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Greens: moving agriculture and society closer together – GMO-free
The Greens, party of the incumbent Prime Minister Winfried Kretschmann, are very clear in favor of GMO-free agriculture in Baden-Württemberg, against GMO cultivation permits and also against field trials. In the canteens and cafeterias of the state institutions, the Greens want to prioritize organic and “Ohne GenTechnik” products. The party also points out that genetically modified food and feed are not socially acceptable – but it is “high time that agriculture and society move closer together again”.
CDU emphasizes the “potential” of new genetic engineering
The current junior coalition partner, the CDU, eloquently evades the question of GMO-free canteens and only very briefly says that they want to “basically hold on” to GMO-free animal feed in state institutions. Otherwise, the CDU expressly emphasizes the potential of new genetic engineering and research into it. The party therefore does not want to speak out against genetic engineering cultivation permits and field trials.
SPD against field trials and cultivation approvals
The SPD, in turn, gives a clear and concise answer that is critical of genetic engineering, in favor of GMO-free in state institutions and against field trials and cultivation permits. Soy is mentioned above all, the increased cultivation of which in Baden-Württemberg and in Germany as a whole is otherwise welcomed by the Social Democrats.
FDP for deregulation and cultivation
The traditionally GM-affine FDP, on the other hand, wants what it calls “progress-oriented” new or deregulation, especially of new genetic engineering and its labeling. The Free Democrats are for genetic engineering field trials and also for general cultivation permits. In addition, the party uses its extensive answer to re-launch its allegations against “Ohne Gentechnik” labeling. And finally, the FDP even spreads the latest story of the genetic engineering supporters once again, in which they draw a direct line from corona vaccine to supposed miracle plants. The fact that the two have little to do with each other is deliberately ignored.
The topic of genetic engineering as an election campaign material in 2021?
In the case of genetic engineering, the positions of the parties are sometimes far apart, which after the election will make the Stuttgart coalition negotiations on this topic in almost all constellations not easy, but certainly exciting. What is new is that the CDU is now again speaking out quite openly in favor of genetic engineering plants – even in Baden-Württemberg, which is traditionally critical of genetic engineering.
Genetic engineering, and in particular the future regulation of its newer varieties such as CRISPR and Co, has potential as an election campaign material in the super election year 2021 – up to and including the federal election in September. The debate will pick up speed in April with the publication of the EU survey study. The discussion about detection methods for “new genetic engineering” products also plays a role. In order to clarify to the parties the importance of the topic and the wishes and interests of consumers, agriculture and the food industry, surveys such as the current one by the GM-Free Agriculture Action Alliance are a good tool for civil society – be it for associations, companies or even individuals .
Action alliance for GMO-free agriculture: Election test stones for the state elections in Baden-Württemberg in 2021
SWP: How the parties position themselves on genetic engineering
VLOG: New genetic engineering: use detection methods, ensure freedom from genetic engineering!
VLOG: Greens stand by “Ohne Gentechnik”
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