The EU's expert group on genetically modified organisms is considering applications for the release of three new crop varieties which, if approved, would break a de facto moratorium on commercial growing of genetically engineered foods in Europe, an Irish MEP has claimed.
In the absence of solid scientific data guaranteeing their safety, the varieties must not be allowed on to the market, according to Ms Patricia McKenna (Green Party).
The Article 21 Committee began consideration of the applications yesterday. The crops are two GM rapeseed varieties and a GM fodder beet. The committee is due to give its opinion to the European Commission, which may then put forward a proposal to the Environment Council of Ministers.
Approval would apply throughout the EU.
"We must continue to apply the precautionary principle until such time as sound scientific advice is given on GMOs," Ms McKenna said.
The Green group of MEPs has called on member-states to uphold the declaration made by the council last June that there be no new approvals until the revision of the directive on deliberate release of GMOs (90-220). A substantially amended form is due to go before the European Parliament next month.
The crops were all destined for human or animal feed for which full controls and labelling were "still completely inadequate" and new rules on traceability, risk assessment and monitoring had not been finalised, Ms McKenna said. The varieties had indigenous relatives and there was a risk the GMOs could cross-breed and have adverse effects on the environment.
Meanwhile the Independent MEP for Connacht-Ulster, Ms Dana Rosemary Scallon, has criticised the pharmaceutical industry for trying to exempt genetically engineered drugs from the 90-220 regulations. Amendments to the directive had to be lodged yesterday with the parliament's environment committee.
"This is typical of a secretive and powerful industry," she said. It was doing everything it could to empty out provisions in the directive. "The drugs industry must face up to the brave new world of the Montreal Biosafety Protocol, and the Commission's recent statements on the precautionary principle," she said. The "tactics of threatening the demise of the European biotech sector", if it had to put in checks and balances, did not stand up, she added. Unless tight amendments were upheld by the committee and the parliament, some genetically engineered species would not be adequately regulated. "This clearly has serious implications for the protection of human health and pollution of the environment."
Ms Scallon said she would ask the committee to support the strongest possible amendments on public liability surrounding GMOs, on fast-tracking applications and on multi-state releases.
