Establishing the Hungarian GMO-free labelling scheme
In 2016 a new element of the Hungarian GMO-free strategy entered into force establishing the legal framework of "GMO-free" labelling. The Decree provides the possibility of using specific labelling for food derived from GMO-free raw materials (including plants, meat, fish, egg, milk from animals fed with GMO-free feed, and GMO-free honey and other apiary products). The legal framework was complemented by a GMO-free trademark system in 2018 with the aim of providing proper and sufficient information about the respective product, ensuring that it is from GMO-free production and gives freedom of choice to the consumers. The use of GMO-free labelling is voluntary.
Studies and surveys have clearly indicated that most Hungarians including farmers reject the use of GM plans in agriculture and the food industry. The majority considers GM food "unnatural", raising possibly health and economic concerns and considers GM plants harmful to the environment and biodiversity. GMO-free products have advantages on the sowing seeds and food markets; it enhances local production instead of importing feed material produced by the destruction of valuable natural habitats.
