13 November 2014 Testbiotech has been informed by the German authorities, that no majority was reached in a vote taken on 24 October by experts from Member States of the EU on the approval for the import of Monsanto oilseed rape MON88302. The German government abstained. The Member States will now have a second vote in the next few weeks. If no majority is reached, the new EU Commission will make a decision. If authorised, the glyphosate-resistant plants will be imported as viable seeds and, in Europe, processed into feed.
Evaluation of data from feeding trial with genetically engineered maize MON810 indicates negative health impact in rats
Friday, 7 November 2014
Testbiotech has today published an independent evaluation of data from feeding trials with rats that were conducted under the GRACE project funded by the EU Commission. The rats were fed over a period of 90 days with genetically engineered maize MON810, which produces an insecticidal protein. The results were published in October 2014 in the journal Archives of Toxicology. The authors conclude that there were no relevant observable toxicological effects. However, an evaluation by Testbiotech has now revealed indications of negative health impacts on kidneys, liver and pancreas.
Testbiotech is warning that the EU Commission might soon rush to give market authorisation to nine genetically engineered plants, all at the same time. This is a crucial decision about allowing about eight genetically engineered crop plants for import and usage in food and feed. Member States have already voted on these applications, but there was no qualified majority either in favour or against. Further, the Commission might allow maize 1507 for cultivation at any time soon.
Report by German authorities on the most commonly used herbicide criticised as inadequate
Friday, 10 October 2014
In a report published today, Testbiotech is highlighting the ongoing inadequacies in the risk assessment of the herbicide, glyphosate. The weed killer is sold under brand names such as Roundup. At the beginning of this year, German authorities published a Renewal Assessment Report (RAR) as part of an EU reevaluation process for the most widely used weed killer. According to the German authorities, there were no risks to health, and it was even suggested that the acceptable daily thresholds for long term exposure (ADI) to which consumers could be exposed might be raised.
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