No majority: political blockade in the EU of the genetically modified maize 1507 and Bt11

(26 February 2009) As was expected, EU Member States were unable to achieve agreement on the genetically modified maize lines Bt11 and 1507. The vote of the ‘Standing Committee’ concluded yesterday without a qualified majority. The Council of Ministers now is responsible for a decision. conclusions.

The approval of both Bt maize lines has a long preamble: the application for Bt11, which was developed by the Swiss firm Syngenta Seeds, already was submitted in 1999 and was renewed in 2003 according to the new legal requirements that since had taken effect. In 2001, the firms Pioneer HiBred and Dow AgroScience submitted the application for maize 1507, which, like Bt11, displays resistance to the European corn borer.

Since 1998, no genetically modified plants have been approved for cultivation in the EU. Since the expiry of the cultivation moratorium in 2003 import approvals only have been granted for several GM plants and for food and feed derived thereof.

For businesses and associations in the field of agro-biotechnology, as well as for the anti-gene-technology movement, the decision on the two approvals represents an important signal of whether agricultural application of green gene technology will be possible in the EU. A campaign by environmental and consumer organisations is intended to hinder the approval of Bt11 and 1507 maize and places the governments of the Member States under significant pressure.

Political conflict with regard to green gene technology also occurs within the EU Commission. At the end of 2007, the EU Commissioner for the Environment Dimas assumed a position against the approval of the maize lines and called for another safety assessment. Subsequently, the scientific committee of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) proofed new research on possible environmental effects of Bt11 and 1507 but found no indications for a revision of the original categorization as “exactly as safe as conventional maize”. On the basis of this new assessment the EU Commission formulated a draft decision and recommended to Member States that the cultivation of both maize lines be allowed under specific conditions.

At the first vote in the ‘Standing Committee’, a qualified majority was found neither for nor against the recommendation of the Commission. The Council of Ministers now can effect a decision. In the case that the vote proportions persist, the EU Commission will apply its draft decision. Until this occurs, Bt maize MON810 will remain the only GM plant for which cultivation is approved in the EU. Its approval was granted in already 1998.

See also on GMO-Compass:

• GMO Database: maize Bt11
• GMO Database: maize 1507

Further information:

• EFSA: Request from the European Commission to review scientific studies related to the impact on the environment of the cultivation of maize Bt11 and 1507 - Scientific opinion of the Panel on Genetically Modified Organisms.
• EU Commissioner Dimas opposes his own expert scientific authority (bioSicherheit)