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Coexistence with conventional and organic agriculture
The EU’s policy on coexistence between GM, conventional and organic agriculture is based on the idea that, under normal farming conditions, the adventitious presence of authorised GM crops in non-GM crops cannot be completely excluded. For that reason, the EU allows coexistence measures during cultivation, harvest, transport, storage and processing in order to keep GM and non-GM production as separate as possible.
The main purpose of this policy is economic rather than health-related. Coexistence measures are meant to avoid the unintended mixing of GM and non-GM crops, because such admixture can lead to economic losses, especially for conventional and organic producers who market their products as non-GM or GMO-free. The page also notes that this issue is not limited to the formal 0.9% labelling threshold: even traces below that level may still damage certain business models.
The policy also supports consumer choice. The Commission links coexistence to the broader EU system of traceability and labelling, arguing that consumers can choose between genetically modified and non-genetically modified food only if different production systems can continue to operate side by side.
A further key element is the flexibility left to EU countries. Member States may develop coexistence measures according to their own national, regional and local conditions in order to achieve the lowest possible level of GMO presence in organic and other crops. In addition, Directive (EU) 2015/412 requires EU countries cultivating GMOs to put coexistence measures in place at their borders with non-cultivating Member States.
Overall, the EU approach to coexistence is designed to allow different farming models to operate in parallel while limiting unintended GMO presence and protecting the economic viability of conventional and organic agriculture.
The main purpose of this policy is economic rather than health-related. Coexistence measures are meant to avoid the unintended mixing of GM and non-GM crops, because such admixture can lead to economic losses, especially for conventional and organic producers who market their products as non-GM or GMO-free. The page also notes that this issue is not limited to the formal 0.9% labelling threshold: even traces below that level may still damage certain business models.
The policy also supports consumer choice. The Commission links coexistence to the broader EU system of traceability and labelling, arguing that consumers can choose between genetically modified and non-genetically modified food only if different production systems can continue to operate side by side.
A further key element is the flexibility left to EU countries. Member States may develop coexistence measures according to their own national, regional and local conditions in order to achieve the lowest possible level of GMO presence in organic and other crops. In addition, Directive (EU) 2015/412 requires EU countries cultivating GMOs to put coexistence measures in place at their borders with non-cultivating Member States.
Overall, the EU approach to coexistence is designed to allow different farming models to operate in parallel while limiting unintended GMO presence and protecting the economic viability of conventional and organic agriculture.
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