EU postpones decision on controversial GMO contamination rules
Brussels, February 9 - EU member states today postponed their decision on a proposal to allow contamination of animal feed with GMOs not approved in Europe.
The European Commission is proposing to allow crops to be fed to farm animals even if they are contaminated by GMOs that have not been passed as safe anywhere in the world. Some European countries have major concerns about this weakening of Europe's current safeguards against GMO contamination and their failure to agree has resulted in a vote on the issue being delayed.
Friends of the Earth Europe food campaigner, Mute Schimpf, said: "The postponement of the vote indicates what a controversial issue this is. The case put forward by the animal feed industry is based on scaremongering and not on reality. There is absolutely no reason to allow contaminated food to be fed to animals in Europe. Friends of the Earth is now calling on the European Commission to withdraw the whole proposal. Furthermore, we believe that this proposal is legally flawed and offers no protection for consumers or the food industry."
Technical staff in the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health representing national ministries were due to vote today. The vote is now postponed until later this month.