Brussels, Belgium
March 2, 2009
EuropaBio, the European
Association for Bioindustries, expressed its profound
disappointment at Member States’ failure, today, to defend the
GM authorisation procedure, science and Europe’s farmers by
voting against the European Commission’s proposal that Hungary
and Austria lift their illegal bans on GM crops.
“Today’s vote is a political side-step that goes against the
wishes of Europe’s farmers who are increasingly demanding the
choice to grow biotech crops*. Meanwhile, millions of farmers
elsewhere around the world continue to grow them across millions
of hectares”, says Nathalie Moll, Executive Director of Green
Biotechnology Europe at EuropaBio.
“It is incomprehensible that some Member States choose to ignore
the overwhelming scientific evidence as to the safety of these
GM products** and the commercial reality of their safe growth
and consumption for more than a decade around the world. The
outcome of today’s political vote is even more worrying given
that GM crops are a key tool for increasing food production, to
offset the potential of food price rises, while simultaneously
reducing the impact of agriculture on the environment. Why make
tough laws in Europe on GMOs, only to ignore them?” added Moll.
Both Hungary and Austria are bordered by countries where GM
maize is grown, countries that respect the choice of their
farmers, EU law and Europe’s independent scientific assessments
showing these products to be safe. “It is a great injustice that
Hungarian and Austrian farmers will continue to be denied this
choice and limited to only looking across their borders to their
more fortunate neighbours,” concluded Moll.
* See
compilation of surveys in EuropaBio press release from 12
February
**
EFSA Opinion on Hungarian safeguard clause for MON810 maize
(2 July 2008):
EFSA Opinion on the Austrian safeguard clause for MON810 and T25
maize (4 December 2008):
EuropaBio is the European Association for Bioindustries,
solely and uniquely bringing together bioscience companies from
all fields of research and development, testing, manufacturing
and distribution of biotechnology products. It has 68 corporate
members operating worldwide, 5 associate members, 4 BioRegions
and 25 national biotechnology associations representing some
1800 small and medium sized enterprises involved in research.
Its mission is to promote an innovative and dynamic
biotechnology-based industry in Europe. |
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