European Food Safety Authority in favour of releasing GM oilseed rape into the environment
EXCERPT (item 1): Similarly to Monsanto, EFSA argues that these [GM] plants will be not a problem because they will not persist over a longer period of time and will not spread into the environment. However, the publication from Scotland, as well as previous findings from Japan and the US, show that this assumption is not sufficiently based on facts but on selectively chosen and biased existing evidence.
1. “Intentional ignorance” in EFSA environmental risk assessment
2. Maize spill shows risks of GE seed escape
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1. “Intentional ignorance” in EFSA environmental risk assessment
Testbiotech, 7 September 2015
http://www.testbiotech.org/en/node/1334
* European Food Safety Authority in favour of releasing genetically engineered oilseed rape into the environment
As analysis of Testbiotech shows, European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) is ignoring new findings on the persistence and invasiveness of oilseed rape. EFSA is just “cherry-picking” from scientific publications to defend its own opinion. A technical dossier recently prepared by Testbiotech provided new information to the EU Commission about a recent long-term study publication on feral oilseed rape populations in Scotland. The study comes to the conclusion that feral oilseed rape populations can persist and flower outside the range of cropped oilseed rape plants, and have become part of the native weed and wildflower community. There are also indications for the invasiveness of oilseed rape.
The EU Commission has been asking EFSA to assess the Testbiotech dossier. In August, EFSA published a lengthy report which has, however, failed to take the most relevant new information into account. EFSA remains in favour of granting authorisation for the import of herbicide resistant genetically engineered oilseed rape MON88302 produced by Monsanto, even though spillages of kernels from these imports are known to give rise to feral populations of genetically engineered plants. Similarly to Monsanto, EFSA argues that these plants will be not a problem because they will not persist over a longer period of time and will not spread into the environment. However, the publication from Scotland, as well as previous findings from Japan and the US, show that this assumption is not sufficiently based on facts but on selectively chosen and biased existing evidence.
This case has far reaching implications. EU regulation only allows releases of genetically engineered organisms after application and authorisation for a deliberate release and for a defined period of time. However, EFSA is of the opinion that in this case, an application for import can be extended to also allow a release of genetically engineered plants that will persist in the environment for an indefinite period of time without a full environmental risk assessment.
In June 2015, several organisations filed requests to review market authorisations for the import of the genetically engineered oilseed rape and forwarded the technical dossier of Testbiotech to the EU Commission which normally has 12 weeks to respond. Just recently the EU Commission announced it needs more time to make a decision.
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2. Maize spill shows risks of GE seed escape
Organic NZ, 31 August 2015
http://us4.campaign-archive2.com/?u=7ec6005c8f53f16c46c275513&id=09e5d33ebe&e=0364bb700f
New Zealand’s valuable GE-free status is under threat from biosecurity breaches, says the Soil & Health Association. Two spills in New Plymouth last week of maize imported from the USA show how it’s possible for genetically engineered seed to escape containment – and potentially grow.
“Well over 80% of maize grown in the US is genetically engineered, so there is a high likelihood of this seed being GE,” said Marion Thomson, co-chair of Soil & Health. “MPI has claimed that the maize is not GE, but we want to see the documentation, such as certification and test results, to be assured of this.”
New Zealand imports hundreds of thousands of tonnes of seed to be milled for stock feed. Much of it, including maize/corn, soy, canola and cottonseed, comes from countries where these GE crops are widespread.
“Have there been other spills of viable GE seed that we don’t know about?” asked Thomson. “The longer we continue to do import this seed, the greater the risks are from contamination, and reputation to New Zealand’s clean, green image and primary exports – including GE-free maize.”
“New Zealand needs to be more self-sufficient and grow more of our own maize,” said Thomson. “Especially in terms of pastoral and dairy farming we need to focus on healthy, biodiverse pastures and reduce our dependence on external inputs.”
Soil & Health agrees with the majority of Kiwis that New Zealand should be GE-free in our food and environment. This is part of a healthy lifestyle, environment and economy based on sustainable, organic farming and growing.