risk reloaded - risk analysis of genetically engineered plants within the European Union

This is a report on the risk assessment procedure for genetically engineered plants in the EU. It reveals substantial flaws and loopholes in the procedure and practice of the institutions concerned. Many of the flaws have their origin in the European Food Safety Authority’s (EFSA) own main concept of risk assessment. This is essentially based upon guidelines that were developed by the OECD as early as 1993 on the assumption that the risks posed by genetically engineered plants are basically the same as those posed by conventional plants. This approach has admittedly been revised several times since 1993 but has in essence remained unchanged.