GMO MORATORIUM HOLDS
Scientific disagreement over safety of modified sweet corn

Friends of the Earth has welcomed the decision by European countries not to break its de facto moratorium on new GMO foods. An EU regulatory committee today failed to support a proposal by the European Commission to approve a controversial genetically modified sweet corn. Friends of the Earth described the decision as a "victory for public safety and common sense".

RESULTS:
Six countries in favour (33 votes) : Spain, UK, Netherlands, Finland, Sweden, Ireland
Three abstained (25 votes): Germany, Belgium, Italy
Six countries against (29 votes): Denmark, Greece, Luxembourg, Austria, Portugal, France

Friends of the Earth was critical of the European Commission for proposing that the GM sweet corn, which has been modified to produce its own insecticide and is also resistant to a herbicide, should be allowed into shops in Europe. In particular the environmental group was concerned that:

* The new labelling and traceability regulations are still not in place

* The proposal bypasses the new GMO approval process which is more thorough and includes post-approval monitoring of health effects.

* Serious safety questions have not been fully addressed. These include concerns about whether the genes had been inserted as expected, criticisms that the safety conclusions made by Syngenta have not been proven, and questions over whether the toxin produced by the corn will cause allergies.

Geert Ritsema of Friends of the Earth Europe said:
"There is clearly no scientific consensus over the safety of this modified sweet corn. The decision not to approve it is a victory for public safety and common sense. The European Commission now has the opportunity to re-think its position. The public doesn't want to eat GM foods and question marks remain over its safety. The Commission must put the well-being of European citizens and their environment before the business interests of the US Government and the biotech industry."

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.