Permission for GM maize threatens contamination, warn campaigners

News in pictures
News in pictures
On Facebook
From the blogs

More than half of Afghanistan’s families live in extreme poverty

Leila is watching her baby intently, as his mouth moves trying to swallow the small blob of yellow p...

Time for a new approach to alcohol

Ambulances were called and three drunk teenagers were brought to my care. One was so drunk we had to...

Bahrain: One year on

I am used to endless lies and criticism from the BNP and its favourite blogster, as well as Islamist...

Paul Volcker stands tall against the banking lobby

Why is Europe, which likes to present itself as an opponent of speculative "Anglo-Saxon" finance, li...

Seventeen varieties of genetically modified maize are to be made available for planting throughout the EU after a decision that environmental campaigners warned could lead to contamination of conventional crops.

Seventeen varieties of genetically modified maize are to be made available for planting throughout the EU after a decision that environmental campaigners warned could lead to contamination of conventional crops.

The move, the first of its kind by the European Commission, came as the authorities also opened the way to licence the import and processing of a GM oilseed rape produced by the biotech company Monsanto.

Environmental campaigners attacked both decisions, saying that there was no popular mandate for wider use of GM crops. They welcomed, however, a separate decision by the European Commission to shelve plans for rules on seed purity, which would have set thresholds for GM content.

Under pressure from the US, which argues that EU restrictions on GM produce breach global trading rules, Brussels is moving slowly to free up the European market. A de facto embargo on new GM approvals ended earlier this year, although Washington is still pursuing its case through the World Trade Organisation.

Before yesterday's decision the 17 GM seeds, produced from Monsanto's MON810 maize, which is modified to make it resistant to some insects, had been listed for sale only in Spain and France. But, because they had received EU-wide authorisation since 1998, the Commission said it was obliged to include them in a "common catalogue" of seeds available in all 25 EU countries.

David Byrne, EU commissioner for health and consumer protection, described the decision as "logical". He added: "The maize has been thoroughly assessed to be safe for human health and the environment. It has been grown in Spain for years without any known problems. It will be clearly labelled as GM maize to allow farmers a choice."

A Friends of the Earth campaigner, Clare Oxborrow, described the move as a recipe for disaster, saying consumers "do not want GM food or crops, especially as there are no rules in place to prevent GM contamination".

The decision is unlikely to significantly change the EU's position within the WTO. A US diplomat argued that, while the decision was positive, "it has taken six years and that does not mean that a timely and efficient system is in place". Monsanto will also have to wait for its GM maize GT73 to be approved, although that is now almost certain to happen this year or early in 2005.

If national governments fail to reach agreement within three months then the Commission can grant the authorisation. Meanwhile, the Commission admitted it was unable to reach consensus on rules over the purity of seeds containing GMOs. The next team of commissioners, due to take over in November, will have to deal with the issue.

The chief spokesman, Reijo Kemppinen, said there were divisions within the 25-member college over the threshold level. A draft plan would have allowed batches of maize and rape seed to contain up to 0.3 per cent GMOs before being labelled as genetically modified. At least eight commissioners argued for 0.5 per cent.

Green groups, many of which feel the threshold should be 0.1 per cent, say it would be better to have no legislation at all than a higher threshold because national laws then apply. Many countries have zero tolerance.

Independent Comment
blog comments powered by Disqus
Career Services

Day In a Page

Picture preview: Portrait of London

Portrait of London

Picture preview
No secularism please, we're British

No secularism please, we're British

Arguments about the role of religion in national life have recently acquired a new urgency
Harold Tillman: 'Chinese tourists can save the high street – if we let them'

Harold Tillman interview

'Chinese tourists can save the high street – if we let them'
Working as a jail torturer ruined my life

Working as a jail torturer ruined my life

Meet the former soldier who has joined the political prisoners he tortured in Turkey's Mamak prison by suing the generals who led a regime of terror
The local high street jet shop

The local high street jet shop

Got a spare $50m and can't stand the queues at Heathrow? Get yourself down to London's first private plane dealership
Do you like your doctor? It could be the death of you

Do you like your doctor?

It could be the death of you...
The mysterious affair of how Agatha Christie is teaching foreigners English

How Agatha Christie is teaching foreigners English

Twenty of the author's novels have been adapted and presented with learning notes and a CD
Six Grammys, five years off: Adele puts love before career

Six Grammys, five years off

Adele puts love before career
The 10 Best binoculars

The 10 Best binoculars

From no-frills to bins with digital cameras
Milan for £300

Milan for £300?

A cultural family holiday - on a budget - to Italy's most stylish city
'Black-hole' resorts: Turn up, tune out, log off

'Black-hole' resorts

Turn up, tune out, log off
New Arsenal face an old question of credibility in San Siro

New Arsenal face an old question of credibility in San Siro

Remodelled since winning in Milan in 2008, for all their consistency – and prize-money – Wenger's side are yet to claim a European title
James Lawton: This prodigal son deserves no forgiveness

James Lawton: This prodigal son deserves no forgiveness

City would be putting their desire to win title ahead of morals if Tevez plays for them
Mark Cavendish: Is Olympic gold at end of the rainbow?

Mark Cavendish interview

Is Olympic gold at end of the rainbow?
Apple admits it has a human rights problem

Apple admits it has a human rights problem

After years of complaints and workers' suicides in China the technology giant faces up to the human cost of its gadgets