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EFSA back in bed with GMO industry
MON810 opinion shown to Monsanto but not to public
Brussels, 30 June - The supposedly independent European Food Safety
Authority (EFSA) has shared a key scientific paper, which gives its
opinion on the future of a controversial GM crop in Europe, with
producer corporation Monsanto before making it accessible to the public,
Friends of the Earth Europe has learned today.
The European Food Safety Authority today refused to issue the Opinion to
Friends of the Earth Europe saying it would be published in the next few
days [1], but Monsanto had already issued a statement ‘welcoming’ the
positive EFSA opinion on its genetically modified maize (GM) yesterday
afternoon [2].
The scientific opinion concerns Monsanto’s controversial genetically
modified maize (MON810) which is undergoing a re-approval request as
required under EU law [3]. The authority is believed to have stated that
the GM crop is safe to be grown – the same recommendation it has made
for all previous GMO approvals since it was established.
“EFSA just has no credibility left. This genetically modified maize is
the most controversial authorisation issue in Europe at the moment, and
to give privileged access to Monsanto over the public, environmental,
consumer and health organisations shows just how pro-GMO and
pro-industry the Authority is," Helen Holder, European GMO campaign
coordinator at Friends of the Earth Europe said.
“Its time to sack the EFSA scientists, disband its GMO panel and move
GMO risk assessment to a truly independent and effective body.
“Six EU countries have already banned Monsanto’s GM maize, and
Environment Ministers recently stated that GMO laws on risk assessment
are not being followed properly. The green light should not be given for
this crop to continue to be grown in Europe.”
At the end of last year, EU Environment Ministers unanimously concluded
that GMO laws are not being implemented properly, in particular long
term impact assessments for which the EFSA is responsible [4].
Facts on MON810:
- MON810 is a ‘Bt’ or ‘pesticide producing’ GM crop which secretes a
toxin to kill an insect called the corn borer
- The environmental and health impacts of this type of GM crops are
uncertain, in particular on insects that it is not designed to harm
- MON810 is currently banned for health and environmental reasons in six
EU Member States as allowed under EU law. The countries that have banned
MON 810 are France, Germany, Greece, Luxembourg, Austria and Hungary
- The GM maize is the only GM crop to have been authorised for
commercial growing in the EU
- This maize is grown in a tiny area in the EU representing 0.06% of
agricultural land.
- The area under GM maize cultivation in the EU fell by 2% in 2009
compared to 2008 and will further fall this year after the recent ban of
MON810 in Germany.
***
For more information, please contact:
Helen Holder, Coordinator of the Friends of the Earth Europe GMOs
campaign: Tel: +32 2 893 1029 or +32 474 857638 (Belgian mobile), helen.holder@foeeurope.org
***
NOTES
[1] FoEE telephone conversation with stakeholder contact person at EFSA.
Latest information is that EFSA may have been embarrassed into
publishing the opinion today, June 30th
[2] http://monsanto.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=724
<http://monsanto.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=724>
[3] Under EU law, every genetically modified crop approved in the EU has
to undergo a reapproval procedure every 10 years. It is for this reason
that EFSA has issued an Opinion on Monsanto’s MON810 maize. The Monsanto
press release on the unpublished EFSA opinion states that the Authority
has stated that MON810 is safe for the environment and for health. This
would not be surprising as EFSA has given the thumbs up to all GMOs
since the authority was established
[4] December 4th 2008 EU Environment Council Conclusions on GMO
authorisations in the EU
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.
