Dairies investment decisions in voluntary GM-free labeling standards in Germany

• Punt, Maarten J. ^[1] ; Venus, Thomas J. ^[2] ; Wesseler, Justus H.H. ^[2]
  1. [1] University of South Denmark
  2. [2] Wageningen University
• Localización: International Conference on Coexistence between Genetically Modified (GM) and non-GM based Agricultural Supply Chains (GMCC), 2015
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • Food suppliers in the European Union must comply with labelling regulations for genetically modified organisms (GMOs). However, excluded from mandatory labeling are food products derived from animals fed with GM feed (mainly GM soybean in the European Union). Because of this labeling exemption, consumers are unable to identify which animal products were derived without the use of GMOs. Therefore, Germany and other countries introduced voluntary ‘GM-free’ labeling legislations or guidelines that allow companies to signal that their products are ‘GM-free’. In this paper we present the results of a survey among German dairy companies. We asked them whether they produce ‘GM-free’ and to assess the ‘GM-free’ market in terms of (1) the current status, (2) potential benefits, (3) limitations, and (4) risks. We find that smaller dairy companies mostly switch completely, whereas ‘GM-free’ production of larger dairy companies is often limited. The results indicate that for switching to ‘GM-free’ production, long-term effects such as the creation of a positive image or differentiation from competitors are more important than short term effects such as higher sales or turn over.