Thanks to on-the-scene-reporter Greg Lamp, Corn & Soybean Digest, I’ve got some information to share from Green Week and the IFAJ meeting taking place in Berlin. Here’s Greg’s report, along with photos. This one is of Mariann Fisher Boel (EU Commission of Agriculture), Michael Mann (seated) and Mike Wilson, Farm Futures.
Nearly 1,000 journalists began their reporting today at Messe Berlin, billed as one of the largest consumer food shows in the world. It is also part of what the Germans call Green Week.
As part of that event, the International Federation of Ag Journalists (IFAJ) assembled their executive committee to hammer out objectives for the coming year.
Fortunately, the EU Commissioner of Agriculture, Mariann Fischer Boel, was able to meet with the IFAJ group for a special Q&A session. Although many of the questions revolved around a change in a European dairy policy, she did comment on biotechnology issues.
When asked about the zero tolerance rules for genetically modified (GM) crops, she said she has “launched a discussion to have an adventitious presence,” or minimum acceptable threshold level. Right now, she says, “Zero tolerance means zero, not even .0001%. We don’t want GM food causing damage to humans, but GM is here and here to stay. We can’t do without them.”
The dilemma, however, according to Ilse Aigner, German Minister of Agriculture, is that “Consumers don’t want biotech in their foods, but we also don’t want our farmers to lose out on the technology.”
Post Update: Janet Kanters has provided an update too, via her Facebook page and with permission to post here:
Greetings from the IFAJ executive committee to IFAJ members.
We are currently meeting in Berlin, during International Green Week. For those of you not familiar with this event, the International Green Week (IGW) is a one-of-a-kind international exhibition for the food, agricultural and horticultural industries. Established in 1926, it invites producers from all over the world to test-market food and luxury items and establish a brand image. Exhibitors often organize around national, regional or product themes. Presentations feature fresh produce, fish, meats and dairy products. These combine with a vast selection of international wine, beer and spirits specialties, to satisfy every culinary palate. Right in line with consumer trends, the IGW also includes direct agricultural sales and the BIO MARKT organic products section. The IGW also features commercial and non-commercial agricultural, forestry, and landscaping exhibits.
The IFAJ executive committee has a full schedule while here, meeting in the various sub-committees, providing feedback and ideas for the ongoing IFAJ website development, and connecting with journalists from around the globe.