Join us to defend food transparency and freedom of choice in the EU on the 16th of June
On 16 June from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m., farmers, breeders, retailers, food producers, environmental organisations, and citizens from across Europe will gather outside the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, to call on policymakers to defend food transparency, traceability, and freedom of choice in the European Union.
The rally takes place just one day before the European Parliament’s final vote on the proposed deregulation of new genetically modified organisms (GMOs), known as New Genomic Techniques (NGTs), on 17 June.
Why this matters
Under current EU legislation, all GMOs are subject to mandatory risk assessments, supply chain traceability requirements, and clear food labelling rules. These safeguards ensure that consumers can make informed choices about the food they buy and eat.
However, according to European Commission estimates, up to 94% of future NGT plants could potentially be placed on the market without labelling, traceability, or risk assessment requirements, significantly weakening freedom of choice and food transparency.
Freedom of choice is a fundamental principle protected by the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. This includes the right of retailers, farmers, breeders, and food businesses to produce and offer GMO- and NGT-free products, as well as the rights of citizens to make informed choices about the food they eat.
What to expect
The rally will offer a welcoming and vibrant atmosphere, with food, music, as well as a giant human DNA chain, symbolising the importance of transparency and democratic oversight in decisions concerning genetic engineering.
Members of the European Parliament, alongside representatives from civil society and partner organisations, will also share their perspectives on what is at stake in the upcoming vote.
Join us!
As the European Parliament prepares for its final vote on 17 June, the Strasbourg rally offers a moment for citizens to come together and make their voices heard.
Together, we can send a clear message to European decision-makers: we have the right to know what we eat!
Contact: Holly – Meet the Team
Brussels, 24.05.2026
