Brussels, 22/03/2004 (Agence Europe) - Co-presidents of the Greens/EFA group at the European Parliament Monica Frassoni et Daniel Cohn-Bendit, wrote to the president of the European Commission, Romano Prodi, last Friday and the president of the European Council Bertie Ahern, asking them to refuse authorisation for the putting onto the market of the genetically modified corn Bt11. The Irish presidency has just put the case on the agenda for the "Agriculture Council" on 26-27 April. In their letter, the two parliamentarians reveal the weaknesses in the BT11 case, specifically underlining the scientific reports established in France, Belgium and Austria, which reveal that the safety of this genetically modified corn is far from having been assured. Monica Frassoni and Daniel Cohn-Bendit write that, "Recent opinion polls and public debates show a questioning and a constant and massive rejection by the European public of GMOs... "This rejection is linked to issues involving control and food security but also the impact of GMOs on the environment and diversity", they explain.
On Monday, Friends of the Earth and Greenpeace launched an appeal to EU governments to refuse the right to import genetically modified rice. The objective: to prevent the eventual corporate take-over of one of the world's most important foods". Member States have until 28 March to oppose the demand by Bayer Cropscience (Germany) of importing LL62 rice, a genetically modified rice that glufosinate ammonium, a herbicide developed by Bayer Cropscience itself. As well as the danger of a take-over of the rice sector by multinationals, the two organisations fear "further daylight robbery of genetic wealth" by European and US corporations in developing countries, as well as the serious threat to diversity.