EFSA GMO Watch

News

The EU Ombudsman is supporting a complaint by Testbiotech concerning "revolving doors" and the case of Dr. Suzy Renckens: http://www.testbiotech.org/en/node/591 Food Navigator conducted a poll asking if their readers think EFSA should take measures to close revolving doors. In a statement to Food Navigator, EFSA's executive director agrees with this request: http://www.foodnavigator.com/Legislation/EFSA-head-votes-Yes-in-our-poll... Testbiotech started a database on risks of genetically engineered plants being authorised for EU markets: http://www.testbiotech.org/en/database Testbiotech filed a comment on EFSA's opinion on MON88017 for cultivation see http://www.testbiotech.de/node/597

Votes

On 12 December 2011 , the SCFCAH standing committee voted on market authorisation for two new soybeans used for feed and food: MON87701, which produces Bt-toxin, and DP356043, which is tolerant of glyphosate and ALS inhibitors. Risks of these crops, which pose substantial risks for the immune system (MON87701) and can not be considered as substantial equivalents MON87701 & DP356043), are discussed in the Testbiotech database : MON87701: http://www.testbiotech.de/en/database?submitted=1&field_sb_event_value[]... DP356043: http://www.testbiotech.org/en/database?submitted=1&field_sb_event_value[... Testbiotech criticised EFSA's opinions in August 2011: http://www.testbiotech.de/en/node/531 The applications did not attain a majority. Member states voted as follows: on soybean MON87701

• in favour: Cz, Dk, De, Es, Est, Fin, Ir, Mal, NL, Port, Ro, Svk, Swe, UK
• against: Au, Bul, Cyp, Gre, Hun, Lat, Lith, Lux, Pol, Sln
• abstained: Be, It, Fr

on soybean DP356043

• in favour: Cz, Dk, De, Es, Est, Fin, Ir, Mal, NL, Port, Ro, Svk, Swe, UK
• against: Au, Cyp, Gre, Hun, Lat, Lith, Lux, Pol, Sln
• abstained: Be, Bul, It, Fr

These applications will now be examined by a new procedure involving the Appeal Committee set up by Regulation (EC) No. 182/2011. A decision can be expected during January or February 2012.

New opinions

EFSA published an updated opinion on Maize1507 for cultivation and Bt 11 for cultivation (http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/efsajournal/pub/2429.htm, http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/efsajournal/pub/2478.htm). These maize events produce an insecticidal toxin (Cry1F or Cry1Ab) and are made tolerant to glufosinate. Interestingly, there are no provisions for making comments. GM Freeze (UK) published a report on EFSA´s recent opinion on maize 1507: GM Freeze (2011) In Two Minds, EFSA GMO Panel concedes Bt crop risks to non-target moths and butterflies, but hangs hopes on unproven mitigation, http://www.gmfreeze.org/site_media/uploads/publications/1507_final.pdf Furthermore EFSA published opinion on GA21 for cultivation (http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/efsajournal/pub/2480.htm) and MON1445 (cotton) for import (http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/efsajournal/pub/2479.htm)

Other

EFSA published outcome of the workshop on independence http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/supporting/pub/indipendence.htm EFSA published a draft new version of its policy on independence http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/mb111215/docs/mb111215-ax8a.pdf EFSA published a Guidance on conducting repeated-dose 90-day oral toxicity study in rodents on whole food/feed: http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/efsajournal/doc/2438.pdf