The Russian government has opted to ban the use of genetically modified ingredients in all food production, following the news of Scotland and Germany doing the same.
Deputy PM Arkady Dvorkovich stated, “As far as genetically-modified organisms are concerned, we have made decision not to use any GMO in food productions.”
Fling past the issue of GMO labeling, Russia decided to shut down the use of genetically modified foods. These GMOs would have entered Russia’s food supply through packaged foods and the cultivation of GMO crops.
This is a huge victory for the anti-GMO supporters.
If the United States of America were to decide to ban the use of GMOs it would change our food industry completely. 90% of the staple crops in the US, such as corn and soy, are genetically modified. There is still a lot of work that needs to be done for America to be ready for a GMO-free industry.
As Reuters reports: “According to official statistics the share of GMO in the Russian food industry has declined from 12 percent to just 0.01 percent over the past 10 years, and currently there are just 57 registered food products containing GMO in the country. The law ordering obligatory state registration of GMO products that might contact with the environment will come into force in mid-2017.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin has set his sights on keeping GMOs out of Russia’s food industry while still complying with the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) commandments.
While he was addressing the members of the Board of the Russian Federation Council, he stated, “We need to properly construct our work so that it is not contrary to our obligations under the WTO. But even with this in mind, we nevertheless have legitimate methods and instruments to protect our own market, and above all citizens.”
While the rest of the world is decided to ban GMOs the US is deciding to not only keep them but to reinforce their use. How long before we decided to make a change. How long before it’s too late.
