knut g. berdal

Specialist Director, Norwegian Ministry.
Multilateralism/ Governance/ Technology/ Trade/ Environment/ Health/ Risk Management/ Agrifood Policy/
WTO SPS/ EU EEA

[knut g. berdal @KnutBerdal]

Norway’s restrictive #GMO policy may end after 33 yrs. The government's advisory body #Bioteknologirådet calls for its termination and harmonization with EU. The 3 extra criteria; benefit to society, sustainability, ethics add no value after Risk Analysis
https://t.co/Nj3lQj5cJy

[knut g. berdal @KnutBerdal]

#Norway has long ranked among the world’s most restrictive #GMO countries. Actually, @FAO used Norway as the 100% GMO restrictive benchmark back in 2014 (see figure below, Norway marked red). The FAO study showed how restrictive GMO regulations have a deterrent impact on #trade.

[knut g. berdal @KnutBerdal]

#Norway has long ranked among the world’s most restrictive #GMO countries. Actually, @FAO used Norway as the 100% GMO restrictive benchmark back in 2014 (see figure below, Norway marked red). The FAO study showed how restrictive GMO regulations have a deterrent impact on #trade.

[knut g. berdal @KnutBerdal]

Norway’s restrictive #GMO policy may end after 33 yrs. The government's advisory body #Bioteknologirådet calls for its termination and harmonization with EU. The 3 extra criteria; benefit to society, sustainability, ethics add no value after Risk Analysis
https://t.co/Nj3lQj5cJy

[knut g. berdal @KnutBerdal]

@NOELreports Very good!
Fun fact; it very difficult to distinguish between an Ukrainian and Swedish tennant flag. I was in Sweden recently and could not understand that all had Ukrainian tennants

[knut g. berdal @KnutBerdal]

The 100 GMOs will not be allowed in agriculture. Extra cost in agri from using GMO-free soy is 280 million NOK a year, less than 1% of the 35-40 billions NOK support to agriculture picked up by the Norwegian taxpayer/consumer, and not the farmers. Link: https://t.co/Yqd0fAKAa1

[knut g. berdal @KnutBerdal]

Norway takes a major step towards a science-based #GMO policy in draft to allow 100+ GMOs as #feed in #aquaculture.
Since 1990 salmon has become a vegetarian. The salmon-farmers save 2 billion NOK a year in aquaculture by using more sustainable feed and no risk to health or envi.

[Espen Barth Eide @EspenBarthEide]

Prosperity and shared progress require a strong, rules-based trading order.

An excellent meeting on WTO reform and the upcoming ministerial in Cameroon with Director General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, @NOIweala. As a facilitator, Norway will do its part to ensure a successful result.

[Jon Entine @JonEntine]

That’s funny. 109 studies, mostly in petri dishes, suggest possible harm while 5,000+ other studies say it’s not carcinogenic or even particularly harmful. Here’s the science from 16 global independent agencies. https://t.co/bxKxnPN09S

[GermanForeignOffice @GermanyDiplo]

We, 🇩🇪🇫🇷🇳🇱🇸🇪🇬🇧, are confident that Alexei Navalny was poisoned with a lethal toxin.
This is the conclusion of our Governments based on analyses of samples from Alexei Navalny. Full statement here 👉 https://t.co/kpUq0IsDoM

[knut g. berdal @KnutBerdal]

@LudgerWess Thanks for sharing @LudgerWess

[knut g. berdal @KnutBerdal]

A global status of how all 190+ UN members regulate #NGT plants and #GMO is just out.
Most countries, 114, lack #NGT legislation vs. 20 for #GMO.
24 countries allow #NGTs for all uses and soon 30 more when 27 EU countries and 3  #EEA countries enact the new NGT law.

[knut g. berdal @KnutBerdal]

The fragmented global regulatory landscape hamper innovation and trade. Biggest problem for #SMEs and #developing countries.
On the other hand, risk-based #NGT regulations spread across the globe and improve sustainability and food security, since up to 40% of crops are lost #FAO

[knut g. berdal @KnutBerdal]

There is no harmonization of “deregulated” #NGTs. Examples include “20 mutations” (EU), “novel trait” (Canada), “novel combinations of DNA” (Nigeria) and “foreign DNA” (Japan).
Multilateral rules #WTOsps promotes harmonization by standards such as #CODEX
https://t.co/YO1aF5kbmp

[Johan Rockström @jrockstrom]

A Nordic response to risks of AMOC collapse https://t.co/3KQgVma3BL

[knut g. berdal @KnutBerdal]

NICE.
California becomes first state to join #WHO disease network after US exit.
Gets direct access to health data and emergency resources.
A counter to US federal policy to withdraw from one of the most important UN bodies
https://t.co/XiWGcgcRjZ

[Jean-Michel Glachant @JMGlachant]

New Genomic Technics 👇 the EU Politics

[knut g. berdal @KnutBerdal]

@12Bly @Superkongen Viser til flertallet i det norske genteknologiuvalget (NOU2023:18) hadde nærmest identisk forslag til det som nå gjennomføres i EU etter støtte fra alle EUs insitusjoner og vitenskapelige komite EFSA, samt at resten av verden som har oppdatert regelverk for #NGT har tilsvarende.

[knut g. berdal @KnutBerdal]

For those particularly interested in the political positions on the #NGT proposal within the EP, the overview below shows how members from each political group voted. In short, EPP, Renew and Patriots for Europe voted entirely in favour, while the group of S&D was split.

[knut g. berdal @KnutBerdal]

The final text of the EU #NGT regulation has now been published, prior to the January 28 discussion and vote in European Parliament’s ENVI committee.
Once finalized #NGTs in microorganisms and farm animals may be next to escape #GMO rules. Link to final document and webcast below

[knut g. berdal @KnutBerdal]

Very good news!!
The ENVI committee voted a BIG YES: 59 in in favour, 24 against and 2 abstentions. Thus the #NGT plant regulation will become law shortly!!, after formal adoption in Council and European Parliament. Probably in March.

[WePlanet @weplanetint]

Europe this morning has made another step towards evidence-based policy on modern plant science.

The ENVI committee voted a BIG YES: 59 in favour, 24 against and 2 abstentions. Thus the #NGT plant regulation will become law shortly, after formal adoption in Council and European Parliament.

This is a big win for farmers, consumers and our environment as it will allow more efficient crops to be grown across the EU.

At WePlanet, we have been working towards this outcome for several years.