Seed Today - Q2 2008 - (Page 46)

GM Approvals Stalled in EU Commissioners are simply waiting for their term to expire in 2009 In an effort to find some middle ground that would pave the way for new GM approvals, President José Manuel Barroso of the European Commission on May 7 convened a special meeting of EU Commissioners, Brussels, Belgium. At the meeting, the Commission confirmed that it is fulfilling its institutional responsibilities and respecting its international obligations regarding the issurance of GM approval. They said they will finalize decisions on pending applications for GM approval. The Commission confirmed its confidence in the scientific advice provided by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), and stated it would continue to base its decisions on science as it is required to do. To some observers, this will let EFSA take the blame for delaying any new approval decisions. The Commission says it will first ask EFSA to analyze further scientific evidence on the effects of GMOs on the environment and human health. The Commission will adopt these pending decisions if and when EFSA has confirmed the safety of the products. Pass the Buck Concerning applications for cultivation of Bt11 and 1507 corn, the Commission agreed to request EFSA to review the “scientific” information presented to the Commission in 2007. French President Nicholas Sarkozy recently expressed “doubts” about the safety of GM products. In accordance with the EU’s Precautionary Principle, these doubts must be investigated. Concerning GM rice LL62, the Commission again passed the buck by requesting that EFSA confirm that the scientific evidence is complete. The Commission says it will adopt the pending decisions if and when EFSA has confirmed the safety of these products. This decision effectively delays any Commission approval action until mid-2009. If and when EFSA is able to provide adequate scientific evidence to satisfy the Commission, Commissioners will present a draft decision to the regulatory committee. In 2009, a new EU Parliament and EU Commissioners will be elected. An EU source told Seed Today that given the present political climate, the Commission will not take any action on any new GM approvals. “They are waiting for their term to be over, nothing will be approved,” Seed Today was told. Joe Funk, editor Response No. 461 46 Second Quarter 2008 http://www.premiertechsystems.com http://www.premiertechsystems.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Seed Today - Q2 2008

Seed Today - Q2 2008 Contents Editor’s Notes Cover Feature IKR BÁBOLNAMAG AOSA/SCST Gary Biel Bill Latham According to ASTA AOSCA Origin AgriTech Ltd. Pipeline Auditec Power Seeds, Inc RSI Systems LLC Mill & Elevator Supply Co. Agronomix Software, Inc Green Age® Products and Services USDA Crop Projections Buyers’ Guide Ad Index

Seed Today - Q2 2008

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