I'm half expecting Mr. Dimas to be turfed out of his job soon on some pretext, so the EU can continue rubberstamping GM applications... let's hope I'm wrong.
Confidential documents reveal that Stavros Dimas, the EU's Environment Commissioner, wants to refuse approval for cultivation of the two crops – both types of maize genetically engineered to resist pests – because they pose "unacceptable" risks.
(snip)
The two types of maize – one produced by biotech giant Syngenta, the other by Pioneer Hi-Bred International and Dow – are modified to produce an insecticide to kill the European corn borer, which affects about a quarter of the Continent's crop.
They have twice been cleared by the European Food Safety Authority, which critics allege is pro-GM, but Mr Dimas said that new scientific research has since raised doubts about their safety.
Separate studies have suggested that the plants' insecticide harms butterflies and gets into streams, where it poisons aquatic life. Another shows that the amount of the chemical produced by the maize varies enormously from place to place and even between plants in the same field, which "may lead to unpredictable interactions with the environment that could cause adverse effects".
For both types of maize, the confidential documents conclude that "the level of risk generated by this product for the environment is unacceptable".
The recommendation will now go to the full Commission, then to a committee of officials of member states and then, if they do not agree, to ministers. If upheld, it will herald a revolution in the EU's approach to GM.
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