EU Permits Genetically Modified Maize in as Animal Feed

BRUSSELS, Belgium, August 9, 2005 (ENS) - The European Commission Monday granted a 10 year permit to Monsanto to import a controversial genetically modified maize, MON863, for use as animal feed. The maize has been modified by Monsanto to make it resistant to the corn rootworm. The decision does not cover uses as human food or cultivation, but a vote on these uses will come in September.

EU Ministers will vote on the food application for the same maize, MON863, in September. Under EU legislation, no import, including that of animal feed, is allowed until the food application has been authorized. In this case, no imports will be able to start unless the MON863 food application is authorized.

Monsanto's animal feed application failed to get support at the June 24th European Union Environment Council when the majority of EU member states abstained or voted against it. As a qualified majority was not reached, the final decision reverted to the European Commission.

With the approval of MON863, the Commission says it is applying the regulatory framework governing the release of genetically modified organisms, one of the strictest in the world.

The adult stage of the western corn rootworm, shown here searching for pollen on corn silk. (Photo courtesy USDA)

MON863 is the second product to be assessed and approved after the entry into force of the law governing identification and tracing of gentically modified foods.

The product will be covered by the new strict labelling and traceability rules which came into force in April 2004.

When put on the market, any product derived from the MON863 maize will need to be clearly labelled as containing genetically modified maize. Its post-marketing monitoring will be assured through a unique identifier assigned to the maize to enable its traceability.

A request to market MON863 was submitted by Monsanto to the competent authority of Germany for assessment. The requested uses of the product included import, processing and feed use but not use in food or for cultivation.

Maize or corn can be genetically modified to resist the corn rootworm. (Photo by Doug Wilson courtesty USDA)

But other EU member states raised and maintained objections in terms of molecular characterization, allergenicity, toxicity, an inadequate monitoring plan, accidental spillage, presence of an antibiotic resistance marker gene and detectability, the European Commission said.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) was consulted and delivered its opinion on April 16, 2004 concluding that the MON863 maize was as safe as conventional maize and unlikely to produce adverse effects.

Friends of the Earth UK has condemned the European Commission's decision to grant a permit for import of the maize, which the campaign group says "once again ignores member states' concerns over safety."

Friends of the Earth accuses Monsanto and the European Union of ignoring evidence that would have bearing on the determination.

This neglected evidence centers on a research report showing that the results of a feeding study of the engineered maize on rats showed significantly different levels of white blood cells, kidney weights and kidney structure, as well as lower albumin/globulin rate in the rats fed the genetically modified maize.

Friends of the Earth says that also ignored are:

• Scientists' criticism of the maize: a number of scientists from different Member States, including the French Commission for Genetic Engineering (CGB), were therefore concerned and severely criticized to maize.

• EFSA's disregard of member state scientists: the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) rejected all concerns raised by Member States when reviewing the application, and delivered a positive opinion.

• Monsanto's refusal to publish key documents: Monsanto refused to publish the initial rat study, having requested when it filed the application, that crucial documents including the rat study be classified as confidential.

• German court rules against Monsanto: in June 2005, the German government won a court ruling against Monsanto and the documents where made public. The documents released in June seem to confirm that there is cause for serious safety concern.