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Commission opens doors to import of  controversial GM maize

Brussels August 8 th 2005 - The European Commission today approved the import of a controversial genetically modified (GM) maize, MON863, for use as animal feed.

Friends of the Earth has condemned the decision, which once again ignores Member States' concerns over safety.

Monsanto's animal feed application failed to get support at the June 24 th EU Environment Council when the majority of Member States abstained or voted against it [2]. As a qualified majority was not reached, the final decision reverted to the European Commission.

MON863 maize has been genetically modified to resist certain insects by producing a toxin in the plant. It has caused controversy due to food and feed safety concerns, the disregard of these concerns by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), and Monsanto's refusal to publish documents that are crucial to assessing the application. These include:

• Food safety studies : the results of a feeding study of the GM maize on rats showed significantly different levels of white blood cells, kidney weights and kidney structure, as well as lower albumin/globulin rate in the rats fed the GM maize.
• Scientists' criticism of the maize : a number of scientists from different Member States, including the French Commission for Genetic Engineering (CGB), were therefore concerned and severely criticized to maize.
• EFSA's disregard of member state scientists : the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) rejected all concerns raised by Member States when reviewing the application, and delivered a positive opinion
• Monsanto's refusal to publish key documents : Monsanto refused to publish the initial rat study, having requested when it filed the application, that crucial documents including the rat study be classified as confidential.
• German court rules against Monsanto : in June 2005, the German government won a court ruling against Monsanto and the documents where made public
• The documents released in June seem to confirm that there is cause for serious safety concern

Helen Holder, GMO campaign coordinator for Friends of the Earth said:

"Once again, the Commission has ignored serious concerns raised by Member States over the safety of GMOs. The Commission has authorized this maize despite attempts by Monsanto to hush up the food safety results. Member States have another chance to block this maize at the September Agriculture Council: they must use the opportunity to protect their citizens, stand up to the Commission, and reject it once and for all."

Contact:
Helen Holder, GMO campaign coordinator, mobile: +32 4 74 857 638

Notes:

[1] This is a decision on animal feed: EU Ministers will vote on the food application for the same maize this coming September. Under EU legislation, no import, including that of animal feed, is allowed until the food application has been authorized. In this case, no imports will be able to start unless the MON863 food application is authorized. EU Ministers are scheduled to vote on this in September 2005.

[2] RESULTS OF THE VOTE ON MONSANTO'S MON863 MAIZE
Environment Council 24 June 2005
(+ : vote in favour, - : vote against, 0 : abstention)

Result: 121 for, 142 against and 58 abstentions (qualified majority: 232/321)

[3] EC press statement: http://europa.eu.int/rapid/showInformation.do?pageName=middayExpress&guiLanguage=en

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.

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