GM traits in Chinese rice exports is a major concern."
–-
–-
EC Toughens Checks as China Fails to Stop GM Rice Contamination
GM Freeze, 19 December 2011
http://www.gmfreeze.org/news-releases/175/
The European Commission has revealed that four illegal GM rice traits have been found in Chinese consignments at EU ports. [1] Three years after the illegal imports of Bt63 rice were first detected in EU rice products in 2008 the Commission is proposing further controls to find GM rice imports. [2]
The draft EC regulation, due to come into force in January 2012, requires several new measures to try to prevent illegal GM rice shipments reaching European outlets including:
*All consignments of rice and rice products from China must be accompanied by a certificate of analysis showing no GM presence.
*EU ports to be pre-notified of the arrival of a cargo of rice and rice products from China.
*All consignments should be re-analysed before being allowed to enter the EU market.
*New GM screening analysis introduced to pick up all illegal GM traits known to be contaminating Chinese rice.
*All unauthorised exports from China to be held in port until shown to contain no GM.
*All rice imports that may contain rice are covered, including processed foods such as pasta, biscuits and muesli.
*Contaminated cargoes to be re-dispatched to the country of origin or destroyed.
*EU regulators can reclaim all their costs from importers.
GM Freeze today wrote to the FSA seeking clarification on the proposals. The organization also queried potential loopholes in the regulations, including the possibility of missing shipment of Chinese rice from ports in other countries (including Hong Kong). [3]
GM Freeze is concerned about Commission reports that Chinese GM analysis appears to be less sensitive than techniques employed in the EU, which casts doubt upon the reliability of any certificate of analysis accompanying any given cargo.
After three years the Chinese authorities appear to be no closer to finding the causes of the GM contamination and stopping it. In fact the problem has grown and now includes four illegal GM traits found in shipments bound for the EU markets.
Commenting on behalf of GM Freeze, Pete Riley said:
"The EC needs to take tough measures before the contamination gets even worse. The presence of four illegal GM traits in Chinese rice exports is a major concern.
"The EU will need to remain vigilant until the Chinese put their house in order. The contamination is still in their exports to the EU and the illegal GM rice could find its way into the EU undetected.
"Once again the cost of cleaning up a GM mess is falling on innocent parties. It is another example of why we urgently need a strict liability regime making it clear who will is liable and protecting innocent parties."
Calls to: Pete Riley 07903 341065
Notes
[1] Final report of an audit carried out in China from 29 March-8 April 2011 in order to evaluate the control systems for genetically modified organisms in respect of seed, food and feed intended for export to the EU. Ref DG(SANCO) 2011-6208 – MR FINAL. The illegal traits are called KeFeng6 or KMD1, in addition to a Bt trait different to Bt63.
[2] EC has issued a draft regulation on emergency measure regarding unauthorised genetically modified rice products originating from China and repealing the previous regulation 2008/289/EC. These will come into force in mid-January 2012.
[3] Copy of letter available upon request.
EXTRACT: "The EC needs to take tough measures before the contamination gets even worse. The presence of four illegal- Main Menu
- Home
- News
- Articles
- Videos
- Index of speakers
- Glyphosate Videos
- Gene Editing videos
- Must see videos
- Health Effects
- Agriculture videos
- Labeling videos
- Animals videos
- Corporations videos
- Corporate takeover videos
- Contamination videos
- Latin America videos
- India videos
- Asia videos
- Songs videos
- Protests videos
- Biofuel myths videos
- Index of GM crops and foods
- Contact
- About
- Donations
- News
- Articles
- Donations
-
Videos
- Index of speakers
- Glyphosate videos
- Gene Editing
- Must See videos
- Health Effects
- Agriculture videos
- Labeling videos
- Animals videos
- Corporations videos
- Corporate takeover videos
- Contamination videos
- Latin America videos
- India videos
- Asia videos
- Songs videos
- Protests videos
- Biofuel myths videos
- Index of GM crops and foods
- Contact
- About
News Menu
News Archive
- 2023 articles
- 2022 articles
- 2021 articles
- 2020 articles
- 2019 articles
- 2018 articles
- 2017 articles
- 2016 articles
- 2015 articles
- 2014 articles
- 2013 articles
- 2012 articles
- 2011 articles
- 2010 articles
- 2009 articles
- 2008 articles
- 2007 articles
- 2006 articles
- 2005 articles
- 2004 articles
- 2003 articles
- 2002 articles
- 2001 articles
- 2000 articles
PLEASE SUPPORT GMWATCH
If you like what we do, please help us do more. You can donate via Paypal or credit/debit card. Some of you have opted to give a regular donation. We greatly appreciate that as it helps place us on a more stable financial basis. Thank you for your support!
Web Development By SCS Web Design