Insufficient scientific and legal basis for the cultivation and import of genetically engineered plants
18 July 2016 In a letter to the EU Commission, Testbiotech and other organisations argue that there is an insufficient scientific and legal basis to authorise further genetically engineered soybeans that are resistant to glyphosate and other herbicides. Moreover, there has been a fundamental change in the circumstances that allow the cultivation of genetically engineered maize: This is emerging with new alien plant species that are becoming invasive in the EU, and which can cross with maize to spread transgenes into the environment.
The teosinte, which appeared in Spain in 2009, is a new alien species and a wild relative of maize. The European Commission is well aware of its presence in Spain.
The appearance of teosinte is having serious consequences for agriculture. The situation could worsen if it crosses with genetically modified maize.
Campaign for the introduction of Golden Rice gets prominent support
30 June 2016 The campaign for the introduction of genetically engineered so-called “Golden Rice” has gained prominent support. After the proponents of this rice attempted to get the blessing of the pope and claimed that environmental organisations are responsible for the deaths of millions of people, they are now trying to use the reputation of Nobel Prize laureates for their own ends. A letter slamming the environmental organisation Greenpeace for its critical stand on genetically engineered plants has gained support from more than 100 Nobel Prize laureates.
At present, there is a controversy in the EU as to whether feeding trials with genetically engineered plants have to be conducted before the plants are granted market authorisation. Both the biotech industry and EFSA experts are pushing for these feeding trials not to be mandatory. They are demanding the withdrawal of a regulation requesting 90-day feeding trials that was only very recently introduced by the EU Commission.
English
Deutsch
