On the occasion of this years’ GMO Free Europe Conference a network of NGOs, the European GMO Free Regions Network and the Danube Soya Association announced the Berlin Declaration. During the conference 400 participants from 65 countries discussed current issues within the GMO debate focusing on new political and scientific developments.

The Berlin Declaration touches upon four of these aspects. Those include the European Opt-Out regulations. Participants of the GMO-Free Regions Conference urge all national governments to ensure legally binding bans on GMO cultivation on their territory. Furthermore, the conference participants discussed the lack of a coherent European Protein Strategy pointing out the disastrous effects of current soy imports. The Declaration demands more research and development in this field and the promotion of sustainable production and use of GMO-free oilseeds, protein crops and legumes within Europe. Concerning the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) the participants of the conference demand that existing standards are not lowered. Furthermore, all GMO-free products and seeds must remain GMO free and contamination of non GM seeds and food even at low levels must be prohibited. Additionally, the participants demanded clear labelling of all GM products. Lastly, the declaration states that new technologies currently not defined as GMOs must also be treated as such following the precautionary principle.