http://www.spiegel.de Daily news, analysis and opinion from Europe's leading newsmagazine and Germany's top news Web site. en Tue, 21 May 2013 10:03:09 +0200 Tue, 21 May 2013 10:03:09 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de http://www.spiegel.de/static/sys/logo_120x61.gif http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/consumer-watchdogs-call-for-more-detail-on-processed-food-labels-a-861411.html#ref=rss Shoppers in the EU have a hard time determining exactly where processed food products come from. The industry is just fine with that, since such information might sometimes hurt sales. But attempts by consumer watchdogs to tighten labeling requirements have met with little success. Wed, 17 Oct 2012 15:24:28 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/consumer-watchdogs-call-for-more-detail-on-processed-food-labels-a-861411.html Shoppers in the EU have a hard time determining exactly where processed food products come from. The industry is just fine with that, since such information might sometimes hurt sales. But attempts by consumer watchdogs to tighten labeling requirements have met with little success.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/consumers-aren-t-ready-for-gm-crops-food-companies-say-no-to-genetically-modified-potatoes-a-691223.html#ref=rss Some of Germany's leading food companies have indicated that they won't be using genetically modified potatoes any time soon, according to a recent survey. Several fear use of the GM crops in their products could damage their public images. Tue, 27 Apr 2010 15:41:46 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/consumers-aren-t-ready-for-gm-crops-food-companies-say-no-to-genetically-modified-potatoes-a-691223.html Some of Germany's leading food companies have indicated that they won't be using genetically modified potatoes any time soon, according to a recent survey. Several fear use of the GM crops in their products could damage their public images.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/the-world-from-berlin-gm-potato-approval-a-big-step-for-germany-a-681507.html#ref=rss The European Union has approved its first genetically modified plant since 1998. Though it claims its green light for BASF's Amflora potato breed is based on "sound science," that will do little to satisfy opponents. German editorialists differ in their stances on the debate over what critics call "Frankenstein foods." Wed, 03 Mar 2010 16:00:55 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/the-world-from-berlin-gm-potato-approval-a-big-step-for-germany-a-681507.html The European Union has approved its first genetically modified plant since 1998. Though it claims its green light for BASF's Amflora potato breed is based on "sound science," that will do little to satisfy opponents. German editorialists differ in their stances on the debate over what critics call "Frankenstein foods."]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/genetic-modification-is-demonizing-monsanto-blocking-real-progress-a-620492.html#ref=rss Germans are celebrating the fact that the government has banned genetically modified corn. But the country's almost blanket opposition to genetic modification ignores the fact that it might just help scientists find a solution for feeding a swelling global population. Wed, 22 Apr 2009 13:29:24 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/genetic-modification-is-demonizing-monsanto-blocking-real-progress-a-620492.html Germans are celebrating the fact that the government has banned genetically modified corn. But the country's almost blanket opposition to genetic modification ignores the fact that it might just help scientists find a solution for feeding a swelling global population.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/the-world-from-berlin-frankenfood-ban-is-neither-populism-nor-panic-mongering-a-619347.html#ref=rss A German ban on genetically modified corn has found broad support in the German public, and protests against a patent on a strain of pig made headlines on Wednesday. German commentators wonder if this is just European technophobia or whether genes are a natural resource which no patent should restrain. Thu, 16 Apr 2009 13:58:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/the-world-from-berlin-frankenfood-ban-is-neither-populism-nor-panic-mongering-a-619347.html A German ban on genetically modified corn has found broad support in the German public, and protests against a patent on a strain of pig made headlines on Wednesday. German commentators wonder if this is just European technophobia or whether genes are a natural resource which no patent should restrain.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/the-world-from-berlin-there-was-no-reason-to-accept-the-risks-of-gm-corn-a-619166.html#ref=rss The German government's decision to ban the cultivation of genetically modified corn has been welcomed by most media commentators in Germany as an overdue step in response to fears that it poses unforeseeable risks. One paper, however, scoffs that "progress has become a dirty word" in Germany. Wed, 15 Apr 2009 15:34:19 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/the-world-from-berlin-there-was-no-reason-to-accept-the-risks-of-gm-corn-a-619166.html The German government's decision to ban the cultivation of genetically modified corn has been welcomed by most media commentators in Germany as an overdue step in response to fears that it poses unforeseeable risks. One paper, however, scoffs that "progress has become a dirty word" in Germany.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/monsanto-uprooted-germany-bans-cultivation-of-gm-corn-a-618913.html#ref=rss Germany has banned the cultivation of GM corn, claiming that MON 810 is dangerous for the environment. But that argument might not stand up in court and Berlin could face fines totalling millions of euros if American multinational Monsanto decides to challenge the prohibition on its seed. Tue, 14 Apr 2009 16:26:49 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/monsanto-uprooted-germany-bans-cultivation-of-gm-corn-a-618913.html Germany has banned the cultivation of GM corn, claiming that MON 810 is dangerous for the environment. But that argument might not stand up in court and Berlin could face fines totalling millions of euros if American multinational Monsanto decides to challenge the prohibition on its seed.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/genetically-modified-corn-german-lawmakers-mull-a-frankenfood-ban-a-618557.html#ref=rss Does Germany's agriculture minister want to ban genetically modified corn in Germany because it may be risky, or is the idea meant to give her party a quick boost in the polls? The controversy exposes a rift in Germany's conservatives. Fri, 10 Apr 2009 13:44:29 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/genetically-modified-corn-german-lawmakers-mull-a-frankenfood-ban-a-618557.html Does Germany's agriculture minister want to ban genetically modified corn in Germany because it may be risky, or is the idea meant to give her party a quick boost in the polls? The controversy exposes a rift in Germany's conservatives.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/legislative-maze-eu-commission-fails-in-push-for-genetically-modified-corn-a-610852.html#ref=rss On Monday, EU environment ministers successfully blocked a move by the European Commission to force Austria and Hungary to lift bans on genetically modified corn. A German decision on the Monsanto product is expected soon, as well. Mon, 02 Mar 2009 18:24:16 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/legislative-maze-eu-commission-fails-in-push-for-genetically-modified-corn-a-610852.html On Monday, EU environment ministers successfully blocked a move by the European Commission to force Austria and Hungary to lift bans on genetically modified corn. A German decision on the Monsanto product is expected soon, as well.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/super-sorghum-for-the-poor-can-genetic-crops-stop-the-food-crisis-a-549136.html#ref=rss It will take some time before genetically modified crops can help the world's starving people. One reason is that agricultural corporations are developing the wrong types of plants. In emerging economies like Argentina and India, most GM crops are cultivated for use in export products. Wed, 23 Apr 2008 16:54:07 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/super-sorghum-for-the-poor-can-genetic-crops-stop-the-food-crisis-a-549136.html It will take some time before genetically modified crops can help the world's starving people. One reason is that agricultural corporations are developing the wrong types of plants. In emerging economies like Argentina and India, most GM crops are cultivated for use in export products.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/crackdown-on-monsanto-seeds-germany-tightens-restrictions-on-genetically-modified-corn-a-481952.html#ref=rss The German government has imposed stricter regulations on the food company Monsanto regarding the sale of genetically modified corn seeds. The new rules are tantamount to an outright ban. Wed, 09 May 2007 15:22:05 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/crackdown-on-monsanto-seeds-germany-tightens-restrictions-on-genetically-modified-corn-a-481952.html The German government has imposed stricter regulations on the food company Monsanto regarding the sale of genetically modified corn seeds. The new rules are tantamount to an outright ban.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/collapsing-colonies-are-gm-crops-killing-bees-a-473166.html#ref=rss A mysterious decimation of bee populations has German beekeepers worried, while a similar phenomenon in the United States is gradually assuming catastrophic proportions. The consequences for agriculture and the economy could be enormous. Thu, 22 Mar 2007 18:21:19 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/collapsing-colonies-are-gm-crops-killing-bees-a-473166.html A mysterious decimation of bee populations has German beekeepers worried, while a similar phenomenon in the United States is gradually assuming catastrophic proportions. The consequences for agriculture and the economy could be enormous.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/spiegel/world-trade-stalking-genetically-modified-corn-a-351921.html#ref=rss Since last Friday, the EU has banned the import of US corn feed. The new embargo has further strained a trade relationship already tense over genetically modified food, Airbus subsidies, and the weapons embargo against China. Mon, 18 Apr 2005 15:11:12 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/spiegel/world-trade-stalking-genetically-modified-corn-a-351921.html Since last Friday, the EU has banned the import of US corn feed. The new embargo has further strained a trade relationship already tense over genetically modified food, Airbus subsidies, and the weapons embargo against China. ]]>