On Tuesday 24 March, the European Commission sought to reassure MEPs who were concerned about the proposal it put forward last December on genetically modified micro-organisms (enzymes) (https://aeur.eu/f/lbj ).
These micro-organisms will all continue to be subject to risk assessment and authorisation, unlike certain plants derived from new genetic techniques (NGT), which may be exempt, said a representative of the European Commission during a debate in the European Parliament’s ‘environment’ and ‘public health’ committees.
The concept of ‘low risk’ does not eliminate the need for assessment, but does allow for a fast-track procedure: certain data are not required if the parent organism has a qualified presumption of safety (QPS) from EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) and if there are no genes of concern, such as antimicrobial resistance genes, the Commission explained. It insisted that this approach was in line with the precautionary principle, the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety and environmental standards. It cited the following possible applications: biofertilisers, bioremediation (soil and water cleaning), biofuels and construction materials.
With regard to GMO micro-organisms, Marta Temido (S&D, Portuguese), the rapporteur on the proposal, pointed out that an external study was underway and wondered whether it would not be preferable to wait for its full results before moving forward. With regard to low-risk GMO micro-organisms, she questioned their potential impact on human metabolism and antibiotic resistance in the human microbiome. She also questioned the move to unlimited market authorisation, particularly if a genetically modified micro-organism were to evolve into a new pathogen or disrupt local biodiversity after several years.
Jessica Polfjärd (EPP, Swedish) welcomed the European Commission’s proposal. Aurelijus Veryga (ECR, Lithuanian) said that the proposal raised “major concerns regarding the supervision of long-term risk assessment and the balance between simplification and the precautionary principle”.
The Greens/EFA and The Left groups criticised the proposal, questioning the Commission’s definition of ‘low risk’. Martin Häusling (Greens/EFA, German) pointed out that, for genetically modified plants, we have generations of experience, whereas for genetically modified micro-organisms, the consequences remain uncertain, notably because of possible mutations. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)