European retailers urge American farmers to segregate genetically modified Soya and Maize at source
Brussels May 7th 97
EuroCommerce, the European association representing the interests of the retail, wholesale and international trades at EU level has reiterated its appeal to US farmers of genetically modified commodity crops to segregate at source in order to ensure transparency throughout the food chain.
From many discussions, we know that there is a strong common view among consumers, retailers and the food industry that evidence of consumer concern about the introduction of genetically modified foods, has created the need for segregation in order to provide adequate information for consumers to enable them to make an informed choice on whether to eat genetically modified foods or not.
Consumer acceptance of biotechnology in Europe stands at what is likely to be decisive cross roads and it is important that American producers are aware of this. The lack of traceability from field to elevator and on to the European market threatens the use of biotechnology in the food sector and its potential benefits for the environment.
In addition, given recent legislative initiatives from the European Commission aimed at regulating the labelling of genetically modified foodstuffs, segregation of crops and, therefore, transparency throughout the entire food chain, is necessary.
EuroCommerce will continue to fight for open and transparent systems that deliver adequate choice for consumers.
For further information please contact Maria Fernanda Fau (EuroCommerce), tel. +32-2-230.58.52, fax. +32-2-230.0078 email:
Lobby@eurocommerce.be, http.www//Eurocommerce.be
What is EuroCommerce?
EuroCommerce is the retail, wholesale and international trade representation to the institutions of the European Union. Its aim is to formulate policies and promote the common interests of its members and to keep them informed of European dossiers which have an impact on their activities.
The membership spans 20 countries in Europe, including national trade associations, companies and national and European sectorial trade associations of the retail, wholesale and international trade sectors.
The EuroCommerce Policy Committees deal with a wide range of issues of interest to the sector, namely: Social Affairs, Legal/Consumer Affairs, Food Law, International Trade, Environment, Logistics and Physical Distribution, Multimedia, the Euro, Fiscal Affairs, New Methods of Payment, Wholesale and SME matters.
Finally, EuroCommerce sits in various European Commission Consultative Committees and is officially recognised as a Social Partner Organisation, representing the second biggest employer in the EU, with over 20 million employees.
The EuroCommerce Members
I. National Membership
BELGIUM
FEDIS
(Federation Belge des Entreprises de Distribution)
NCMV
(NCMV, de organisatie voor zelfstandige ondernemers)
AFFILIATED MEMBERS
Delhaize "Le
Lion" SA
GIB Group
DENMARK
AHTS
(Federation of Employers for Trade, Transportation and Services)
Danish Chamber of Commerce
Dansk Handel & Service
GERMANY
BAG (Bundesarbeitsgemeinschaft der Mittel-und Grossbetriebe des Einzelhandels e.V.)
BFS (Bundesverband der Filialbetriebe und Selbstbedienungs-Warenhauser e.V.)
BGA (Bundesverband des Deutschen Gross-und Aussenhandels e.V.)
HDE (Hauptverband des Deutschen Einzelhandels e.V.)
AFFILIATED MEMBERS
CDH (Centralvereinigung Deutscher Handelsvertreter- und Handelsmakler Verbande)
Metro Holding Deutschland Tengelmann Group
Verband der Vereine Creditreform e.V.
GREECE
Athens Chamber of Commerce & Industry
ATA (Athens Traders' Association)
National Confederation of Hellenic Commerce
SPAIN
ANGED (Asociacion Nacional de Medianas y Grandes Empresas de Distribucion)
ASENDIS (Asociacion Espanola de Entidades de Distribucion)
CEC (Confederacion Espanola de Comercio)
FRANCE
CGI (Confederation Francaise du Commerce de Gros Interentreprises et du Commerce International)
CNC (Le Conseil National du Commerce)
FCD (La Federation des Entreprises du Commerce et de la Distribution)
FNGMMP (La Federation Nationale des Grands Magasins et Magasins Populaires)
AFFILIATED MEMBERS
Carrefour SA
Casino SCA
Groupe Comptoirs Modernes
Groupe Docks de France
Promodes SA
IRELAND
AFFILIATED MEMBERS
Superquinn
ICELAND
Felag Islenskra Storkaupmanna
(Association of Icelandic Importers, Exporters and Wholesale Merchants)
ITALY
Confcommercio (Confederazione Generale Italiana del Commercio, del Turismo e dei Servizi)
FAID (Federazione Associazioni Imprese Distribuzione)
AFFILIATED MEMBERS
Gruppo Coin spa
LUXEMBOURG
Cactus SA
CCL (Confederation du Commerce Luxembourgeois)
HUNGARY
AFFILIATED MEMBERS
National Trade Federation
NETHERLANDS
MKB Nederland
NVG (Nederlands Verbond van de Groothandel)
Raad NDH (Raad Nederlandse Detailhandel)
VGL (Vereniging van Grootbedrijven in Levensmiddelen)
AFFILIATED MEMBERS
CBL (Centraal Bureau Levensmiddelenhandel)
Koninklijke Ahold NV
NORWAY
HSH (Handels- og
Servicenaeringens Hovedorganisasjon)
(Federation of Norwegian Commercial and Service Enterprises)
AUSTRIA
Bundesgremium des Aussenhandels der Wirtschaftskammer Osterreich
Bundessektion Handel der Wirtschaftskammer Osterreich
PORTUGAL
APED (Associacao Portuguesa de Empresas de Distribuicao)
CCP (Confederacao do Comercio Portugues)
SWITZERLAND
Vereinigung des Schweizerischen Import- und Grosshandels
AFFILIATED MEMBERS
Coop Schweiz
SLOVAKIA
AFFILIATED MEMBERS
AVODIS (Association of Wholesalers and Distributors of Slovakia)
FINLAND
Federation of Finnish Commerce and Trade
SWEDEN
Federation of Swedish Commerce and Trade
HAO (Handelns och
Tjansteforetagens Arbetsgivarorganisation)
(Swedish Commercial & Service Employers' Association)
Sveriges Kopmannaforbund (Swedish Retail Federation)
UNITED KINGDOM
British Retail Consortium
AFFILIATED MEMBERS
The Boots Company plc
Dixons Stores Group
Kingfisher plc
Marks & Spencer plc
J. Sainsbury plc
Tesco plc
II. European and International Association Membership
FEWITA
(Federation of European Wholesale and International Trade
Associations)
AFFILIATED MEMBERS
AEDT
(European Association of National Organisations of Textile
Retailers)
AFPA (American Forest and Paper Association)
CIES (The Food Business Forum)
CITHA (Confederation of International Trading Houses Associations)
CPPA (Canadian Pulp and Paper Association)
EFER (European Federation of Electronic Retailers)
EFF (European Franchise Federation)
EMOTA/AEVPC (European Mail Order Traders' Association)
ETV (Europaischer Tabakwaren Grosshandelsverband)
EUCOFEL (European Union of the Fruit and Vegetable Wholesale, Import and Export Trade)
EUCOLAIT (European Union of Importers, Exporters and Dealers in Dairy Products)
EVA (European Vending Association)
FEDSA (Federation of European Direct Selling Associations)
FTA (Foreign Trade Association)
IVE (Internationale Vereinigung von Einkaufs- und Marketingverbanden)
Mondial International
UGAL (Union des Groupements des Commercants Independants)
Verbindungsburo der Rohtabakhandelsverbande in der EG