Right to be informed, consumer’s democratic participation and GMO

Citizens have the right to be informed about the presence of products containing GMO. This right applies both to the presence of commercial products containing GMO but also to the deliberate release of such genetically modified organisms in the natural environment. The right to be informed is not only limited to the label and the possibility to track the different steps of the production process. As already prescribed by various laws, this right also extends to the possibility of citizens to demand to public authorities information regarding both the presence of commercial products and the deliberate release of GMO in the environment. Public authorities should also hold public consultations regarding the decisions to be taken regarding these two issues. So far, such public consultations have not been effective in fully involving citizens in this decision process. Hence, such "right to be informed" has not been properly exploited. Only the effective presence of such right could induce democratic participation and co-production of knowledge. The violation of such right might also represent the basis to ask for a damage reimbursement ex art. 2043 c.c.

Keywords: Gmo, right to be informed, public consultation, democratic participation, co-production of knowledge, damage reimbursement

Paola Sobbrio, Diritto all’informazione, partecipazione democratica del consumatore e Ogm in "AGRICOLTURA ISTITUZIONI MERCATI " 3/2008, pp 79-126, DOI: 10.3280/AIM2008-003005