Brussels, 23/05/2012 (Agence Europe) - The request by France to the European Commission for urgent measures to suspend approval of cultivation of Monsanto's transgenic maize MON 810 has no scientific basis to justify it, says the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) in a scientific opinion published on 21 May. The European Commission expected this outcome (see EUROPE 10577) and is likely to decide on what action to take on this opinion after sounding out member states at the next Environment Council in Luxembourg on 11 June.
“The EFSA GMO Panel considers that, based on the documentation submitted by France, there is no specific scientific evidence, in terms of risk to human and animal health or the environment, that would support the notification of an emergency measure”, EFSA says in it opinion.
On 20 February, the French government seized on new scientific assessments to refer its urgent request to the Commission, believing that it had sufficient fresh information to justify suspension of cultivation of MON 810 across the EU. A month later, it imposed a further moratorium of crops of MON 810 in France.
Frédéric Vincent, spokesman for Health and Consumer Affairs Commissioner John Dalli said: “The EFSA opinion confirms what we believed. The Commission is considering on how to respond to this opinion but, technically, we could ask France to lift its ban.” (AN/transl.rt)