Genetically modified sweet corn
Europe to vote on controversial new US import

Friends of the Earth has issued 10 reasons why European states should reject a new genetically modified (GM) sweet corn at a crucial meeting in Brussels on Monday (8th).

The European Commission, who failed to gather sufficient support at a previous meeting in November, will push for a vote on the sweet corn at Mondays meeting of the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health. If approved, unprocessed GM sweet corn will be allowed into shops, breaking Europe’s moratorium on GM food.

However Friends of the Earth has revealed serious question marks about the safety studies carried out and the process the Commission is using. In particular FOE highlights that:

1. Question marks exist over the genetic modification
New research by the Belgium authorities questions the quality of the work done by Syngenta to identify whether the genes had been inserted as expected.

2. A new report attacks the safety research
A new report by the Austrian Government gives a damning verdict for the Bt11 application, concluding that the whole plant was not tested, the assumptions made by the biotech company were false and the safety of Bt 11 is based on theoretical argument rather than evidence.

3. It ignores new regulations.
Bt11 maize is being pushed through the old Novel Food Regulations even though new laws improving the approval process become applicable in April. The new regulations also require a post-approval safety monitoring plan.

4. It fails to meet new food safety criteria
New EU food law requires that the effects on subsequent generations, cumulative toxic effects and also the effects on the health sensitivities of consumers need to taken into account. These legal requirements have not been done.

The full list of 10 reasons can be found here.

Adrian Bebb of Friends of the Earth Europe said:

“There are too many question marks hanging over this food. European countries should reject it outright and demand proper testing to ensure that this GM sweet corn poses no threat to our health. Instead of the Commission protecting the interests of the public they are trying to ram through GM foods using out-dated laws under pressure from the US.“

CONTACT
Adrian Bebb +49 1609 490 1163 (MOBILE)
Geert Ritsema +31 6290 05908 (MOBILE)

Friends of the Earth Europe campaigns for sustainable and fair societies and for the protection of the environment,
unites more than 30 national organisations with thousands of local groups and is part of
the world's largest grassroots environmental network, Friends of the Earth International.