Loophole clears way for GM maize approval

The Environment Council  has launched a debate on the authorisation procedure for GMOs. In a statement, it said "the debate covered […] the potential risks and benefits of GM technology, coexistence between GM and traditional crops, the decision-making process for individual GMOs and the need for further research". Discussions, it indicated will continue under the Austrian Presidency.

Luxembourg, Austria and Greece are said to be the strongest supporters of a change to authorisation rules whereas Denmark would like to broaden the debate to the use of biotechnologies for advanced therapies. France said it did not have a political position on the authorisation procedure.

Environmental NGOs highlighted that loopholes in the current authorisation procedure allow products to be placed on the market despite a majority of member states voting against or abstaining. 

In an open letter to environment ministers, the European Environmental Bureau (EEB) expressed "serious concerns about the way the authorisation procedure is functioning". It insisted that the GMO panel of the European Safety Authority (EFSA) improves its work and pay "more attention to the long-term effects" of GMOs, "including probable combination effects, scientific uncertainties as well as differences in scientific opinion".

According to Friends of the Earth Europe, EU regulations on GMO authorisation has "serious shortcomings". Scientific evidence provided by the European Food Safety Agency, they claim, is "not independent and the legal requirements for the assessment of long term effects on the environment and on human health are not being met".

EuropaBio, the European Association of Bioindustries, expressed disappointment earlier this year when EU agriculture ministers failed to reject a temporary ban by Greece on MON 810. "Neither the Greek Government nor any of the authorities have provided any validated scientific evidence to support either a ban or withholding approval to use these products in food," commented Simon Barber at EuropaBio.