Source: CORDIS Express

Project Fact Sheet
GMO-COMPASS

GMO Communication and safety evaluation platform

Action Line: FOOD-2003-T0 Realising ERA objectives - Promotion of SME participation - Stimulating international cooperation - Linking with Candidate Countries - Supporting Policy Development - Stimulating exploitation - Contributing to the EU strategy for Life Scien

GMO-COMPASS aims at the establishment of a European consumer-oriented website (www.gmo-compass.org) providing easily comprehensible information on issues of safety evaluation of GMOs and GMO-products. The information on risk analysis, assessment and risk management will be embedded in the general GMO debate closely linked to political, legal and socio-economic aspects along the food chain. A network of local correspondents in EU member states support reporting the national GMO debate. GMO-COMPASS complements the existing information supply and transparency measures of EU institutions and state bodies as well as the websites of lobby groups and scientific institutions.

The consumer will be reached:

1. by the choice of issues presented at the website, which will be orientated consequently along the information needs of consumers

2. by offering science-based information due to the expectations of laypersons embedded in a balanced reporting including counter-expertise and views of non-scientists

3. by an intensive off-line and on-line marketing (e.g. content co-operations with consumer- and commercial food related websites, co-operations with consumer organisations)

4. by appealing journalistic outcomes such as news, interviews, stories, condensed (pocket) information, Q&As, fact sheets and

5. by a close cross-linking between information and public dialogue (on-line discourse).

GMO-COMPASS will support important goals in the EU-commission's strategy for consumer information: - stronger presence and awareness of science-based facts in the public debate - transparency in the safety evaluation regulatory practice of GMOs - by that - supporting more public trust in food safety of GMOs and the precautionary principle- providing and facilitating a dialogue between consumers, scientific experts and stakeholders on risk perception and consumer expectations on food quality and safety of GMO.

RCN: 74127
Last updated: 2006-02-20