Germany / Central Commission for Biological Safety: No new evidence of environmental risks through genetically modified maize MON810

(24.07.2009) The current provisional ban on the cultivation of genetically modified maize MON810 in Germany is regarded by the Central Commission for Biological safety (ZKBS) as being "not scientifically grounded". The Brains Trust responsible under the law for Gene Technology for this area has again considered the environmental safety of MON810 maize.

The ZKBS has, in particular, been analysing the six new scientific studies on which the provisional ban on cultivation of MON810 maize, imposed by the German Agricultural Minister Ilse Aigner, is based. These studies investigated "the until now little considered, but not completely excludable effects on the environment". This concerned the possible detrimental effects of the MON810-produced Bt protein on caddis flies, water fleas, certain snails or the larvae of two-spot ladybirds.
After scrutinising these studies, the ZKBS has come to the conclusion that "after consideration of all the available scientific information, and according to the precautionary principle, the cultivation of MON810 does not present any risk for the environment."

IIn the Opinion passed on 7 July, the experimental protocols and results of the six studies are presented and critically examined to determine whether they yield evidence for any not-yet-considered risks. The ZKBS could not detect any such evidence in any of the cases. For some of the studies, the ZKBS pointed out "shortcomings in the experimental set-up" or "marginal scientific quality'. The ZKBS were not asked in the decision to ban the cultivation of MON810 maize.

The ZKBS was institutionalised as the scientific Brains Trust for all safety matters concerning gene technology with the first Gene technology laws in 1990.The Commission comprises 12 experts in the field of microbiology, cell biology, virology, genetics, plant breeding, hygiene, ecology, toxicology, and safety engineering, and 8 experts from the trade union, occupational safety, economy, agriculture, environmental protection, nature conservancy, consumer protection, and research promotion organisations. The members are appointed by the German Ministry for Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection. The current chairman of the ZKBS is the virologist Prof. Herbert Pfister (Cologne).

Further information:

• Opinion of the ZKBS on the risk assessment of MON810 (summary, in German language)
• Opinion of the ZKBS on the risk assessment of MON810: New studies on the effects on MON810 on the environment (in German language)
• French scientists criticise the ban on MON810: "Little respect for the scientific facts" (bio Safety, in German language)