Consultants’ observations
The two consultants who facilitated the twin workshops have made the following list of key points as they see them:
- Many participants expressed reservations about the use of concepts such as ‘equivalence’, ‘substantially equivalent’ and ‘substantially different’. Consumers may not have confidence in those judging the ‘equivalence’ or otherwise of foods.
- There was debate about the availability of adequate tests to determine whether a food had been genetically modified or produced by a genetically modified organism. The spread of views ranged from those with full confidence in the tests to those who held that GM foods cannot be identified using present tests. Intermediary users of the test information (Producers, Manufacturers, Marketers and Retailers) appeared more confident of the tests than the scientists.
- There was a recognition that non-GM foods are not always extensively tested before being released in the market. This recognition implies, but the observation was not explicitly stated, that a consistent approach to food testing is desirable
- The suggestion that the word ‘evidence’ (possibly with a relevant qualification) might be more acceptable than the words ‘sound science’ when describing the basis for Codex regulations and guidelines.
- The observation that the boundary line between food and medicines will become more indistinct over time is worth noting.
- The lack of consumer confidence in science and scientists in the field of GM foods, where the knowledge base is imperfect, was frequently mentioned.
- The observation was made that there is a risk of the consumers being ‘overawed’ by the large body information and the widely differing viewpoints available with respect to GM foods.
- Workshop discussions focussed on the food products, implying that Codex regulations and guidelines should also focus on the food product, not the process under which the food was produced.
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