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European Commission holds orientation debate on GMOs

 and confirms existing rules and procedures –

but fails to show leadership on the future policy

The purpose of the debate of the College was to take stock and set out how to move forward on the pending authorisation cases and other GMO issues. It was confirmed that the Commission will proceed to finalise decisions on pending cases, where the existing comitology procedure requires it to take a decision. It was also confirmed that
these decisions will be based on science as required by the legislation. Here, confidence in the high quality of scientific advice provided by the European Food Safety Authority was underlined.

Unfortunately, the more concrete decisions taken are in sharp contrast to these general statements.

• For the Amflora potato and three hybrid maize (MON863xMON810, MON863xNK603, MON863xMON810xNK60") – these products contain an antibiotic marker gene -  the Commission asks EFSA to analyse further scientific evidence on the effects of these GMOs on the environment and human health.
• For the GMO maize Bt11 and 1507, EFSA is requested to review the scientific information that came to the attention of Commission's services at the end of 2007 and that has not yet been reviewed by it.

Next to these issues, the Commission has instructed its services to find a technical solution for the issue of low level presence of non approved GMOs in feed and foodstuffs as soon as possible and at the latest before the summer.

In a letter to the Commission in advance of the orientation debate, ESA once again pointed out the urgent need for a similar solution for the presence of GMOs in seed by establishing respective thresholds at practical and sustainable levels.

For further information, read the ESA Press Statement  ESA_08.0308 on the orientation debate.