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Russian Federation Council speaker suspects US companies of lobbying for GMO products

Valentina Matviyenko Mikhail Metzel/TASS

Valentina Matviyenko

© Mikhail Metzel/TASS

MOSCOW, March 1. /TASS/. Russian Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko believes that two large US companies are involved in lobbying for foods containing genetically modified organisms.

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Russians eager to say NO to GMOs

"Lobbying for GMO foods is a hard fact," Matviyenko told the RBC business news television channel in an interview. "Two large US companies indulge in this sort of activity. They have powerful lobbies with major financial resources," Matviyenko said without mentioning the companies’ names.

She recalled that GMO products were being widely used in China, India and the United States.

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Russian authorities vow to protect people from GMO foods

"We have no system of control that might identify the presence of GMOs in foods. Such products must bear special markings in bold red letters and an exclamation mark to warn potential buyers these low-price products contain GMOs. The customer will then be able to assume the responsibility whether to have such foods or not," Matviyenko said.

At the same time she said that currently there was no proof, scientific or experimental, confirming that GMO products were harmful to human health.

"For this there must be extensive testing and monitoring. Russia does have its own potential of growing organically clean farm produce and it should display the maximum caution," Matviyenko said.

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