Brussels, 19/01/2015 (Agence Europe) - European Health and Food Safety Commissioner Vytenis Andriukaitis admitted on 8 January, much to the joy of NGOs Testbiotech and GeneWatch UK which had questioned him on the matter, that the cumulative effect of residues of pesticides sprayed on GMOs needs to be taken into account.
Testbiotech and GeneWatch UK recently expressed alarm at the proven toxicity of combinations of herbicides sprayed on new varieties of genetically modified soybeans. They spoke out publicly against the Commission statement that all due assessment had been made of the relevant risks related to the herbicides, even though EFSA has not assessed the risks of combinations of herbicides (see EUROPE 11460).
In his response, the commissioner writes: “It is true that the legislation requires cumulative and synergistic effects of pesticide residues to be considered”. At the same time, however, he states that methods to assess these health effects are not yet available.
In light of this response, the two NGOs called on Tuesday 19 January for a halt to import authorisation of three genetically modified soybeans which are sprayed with the herbicide mixes. They also launched an online petition in support of their call to European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker.
“If the EU Commission and EFSA are not able to assess the effects these mixtures might have on health because there are no suitable methods available then market authorisation cannot be granted”, argue the NGOs. After member states have twice failed to reach a qualified majority, it falls to the Commission to take a decision. Testbiotech and GeneWatch UK hope to have the support of the European Parliament in their call. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)