Brussels, 15th October 2007 –The Conference “GMOs: Orientations of the European Cooperative Movement” took place last 12th October 2007 in Rome. The event, organised in the framework of the Italian Campaign “ItalyEurope – Free from GMOs”, was meant to foster a European debate on GMOs and to strongly restate the principles of caution and sound science regarding this subject.

The event evidenced large consensus on the necessity to strengthen research, so to investigate the mid and long term effects that the use of GMOs could have both on human health and the environment. The discussion also focused on the need for consumers to make an informed choice and to be effectively able to choose between GM and non-GM food.

Many speakers, including MEP Umberto Guidoni and the President of the Genetic Rights Foundation Mario Capanna, called for the respect of the precautionary principle and for the necessity to guarantee the segregation of GM sources. They also called on the European Institutions to put consumers concerns and needs at the heart of European decision-making process.

The initiative was also the occasion to launch the Euro Coop Declaration on GMOs: a milestone document showing the enduring consumer cooperatives commitment to stand for consumer rights. The Declaration is available online.

EURO COOP is the European Community of Consumer Cooperatives, whose members are the national organisations of consumer cooperatives in 17 European countries. Created in 1957, EURO COOP today represents over 3,200 local and regional cooperatives, the members of which amount to more than 22 million consumers across Europe.

For more information please contact:
Anna Carbonaro, ANCC/Coop Italy Assistant
E-mail: Acarbonaroateurocoop.coop
Tel.: +32-2-285-00-77 - Fax.: +32-2-231-07-57

Rosita Zilli - Policy Adviser E-mail: rzilliateurocoop.coop
Tel.: +32-2-285-00-72 - Fax.: +32-2-231-07-57