EFSA GMO Watch – August 2010

EFSA has answered the questions asked by the European Ombudsman concerning the case of Dr. Suzy Renckens. EFSA again states that the authority does not see any problems with the move of the leading member of staff Renckens from its 'GMO panel' to the seed company of Syngenta (which produces genetically engineered plants). Testbiotech and other stakeholders are warning of the conflict of interest in this case. In May 2010, the Ombudsman filed a letter with several questions to EFSA after he was informed by Testbiotech. The Ombudsman now will take a decision on how to proceed with the case (see also: http://www.testbiotech.org/en/node/354).

EFSA has invited Testbiotech and other organisations to a meeting on 29 September 2010 in Parma on the assessment of ecological risks associated with genetically engineered plants (see also: http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/press/news/gmo20100706.htm).