Explaining International Differences in Genetically Modified Food Labeling Policies*

Abstract

Many countries have adopted labeling policies for genetically modified (GM) food, and the regulations vary considerably across countries. We evaluate the importance of political-economic factors implicit in the choice of GM food labeling regulations. Using an analytical model, we show that production and trade-related interests play a prominent role in labeling decision-making. This conclusion is validated by an empirical analysis of GM food labeling policy choices. We find that countries producing GM crops are more likely to have less stringent labeling policies. Food and feed exporters to the European Union (EU) and Japan are more likely to have adopted stricter labeling policies. Labeling regulations in Asia and Europe are similar to those of Japan and the EU. Countries with no labeling policies are less developed, with important rural sectors and are more likely to have ratified the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. Copyright � 2009 The Authors. Journal compilation � 2009 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

International trade and endogenous standards: the case of GMO regulations

“…Tothova and Oehmke, 2004;Anderson and Jackson, 2004;Anderson, 2010). Indeed, while the potential gains from GMO adoption appear particularly high for several Asian and African countries (Huang et al 2004; Anderson, 2005;Smale et al, 2009;Gruère et al, 2009a), developing countries also face the potential loss of access to rich markets with strong consumer opposition to GMOs.…”

“…However, it is clear that if we want to understand which GMO regulatory dimension matters the most for trade flows, then one needs to go beyond a simple categorization based on dummy variables. Gruère et al (2009a) represent an example in that direction; however they limited the investigation to GMO labeling policies.…”

“…2 Indeed, political economy studies (see Anderson and Jackson, 2004;Gruère et al 2009a;Swinnen and Vandemoortele, 2011) suggest that GMO regulations are endogenous to trade flows.…”

Do Political Attitudes Affect Consumer Choice? Evidence from a Large-Scale Field Study with Genetically Modified Bread in Switzerland

“…This would indicate that the mere presence of GM products in the supermarket would put people off and thus represent a negative externality for consumers. However, these surveys are based merely on stated political and stated consumer preferences and ignore the negative externality that results from not giving consumers the freedom of choice between clearly labeled GM and non-GM food products [29,30].…”

Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) Assay for GMO on: Recent Progresses and Future Perspectives

“…It is well-known that there is no biotechnology that is absolutely safe; therefore, GM crop could bring their risks together with their benefits to the environment and human being. In an attempt to relieve public concerns about GM food safety, a series of regulations and legislations have been established in more than 50 countries and regions to strengthen the management of GMOs and label the products containing GM contents [9]. In many countries, the labeling of grains, feed and food derivatives is compulsory if the GMO content exceeds a certain threshold level, which differs depending on countries and regions, and on product types in those countries [6].…”