Brussels, 11/07/2014 (Agence Europe) - It emerged on Thursday 10 July that the authorisation to import Monsanto's highly controversial genetically modified NK 603, a type of corn which is resistant to the full-range herbicide “Round-Up”, into the EU for use in food for human beings and animal feed will be renewed in the European Union. The EU's regulatory appeals body was to decide on the matter by qualified majority vote, but has been unable to reach a qualified majority either for or against.
The decision will therefore be taken by the European Commission and on Friday, Frederic Vincent, a spokesman for EU Health Commissioner Tonio Borg, said it would be taken in a few weeks' time by the commissioner. He said that new 90-day toxicity studies have been carried out, which justify renewal for a further ten years.
Long-term negative side effects on the health of rats caused by NK 603 were demonstrated by Professor Serralini (results that were challenged but republished in June in a new scientific review), and MEP José Bové (Greens/EFA, France) is furious about the authorisation. He says the decision will be taken without an new risk assessment about its effect on health despite that fact that the only long-term toxicology test on this corn and its related herbicide, which demonstrates serious side effects, has been republished. This is a scandal, says Bove, adding that even the European Commission has recognised that there are no independent long-term toxicology studies and it would be commissioning one itself. Against this backdrop, it is totally irresponsible to agree to renew the import authorisation, he argues. Bové says that Barroso must not grant any new authorisation or renewal before the new European Commission takes office. (AN)