New EU Commissioner John Dalli: Not very concrete on gene technology policy

(15 January 2010) With regard to products of gene technology, the designated EU Commissioner for Health and Consumer Safety, John Dalli (Malta) intends to make decisions based on science. However, at a hearing by the European Parliament he avoided concrete statements on important current topics of European gene technology policy.

John Dalli, a long-term Minister in Malta, is expected to become a sort of ‘super-Commissioner’ for questions of gene technology. José Manuel Barroso, already voted in as previous and new President of the Commission, states the wish to bundle most responsibilities in this field for the future Commissar for Health and Consumer Safety. Dalli would attain responsibility for the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMEA). Additionally, he would be charged with the gene technology departments of the environmental commission.

During the three-hour-long hearing in the European Parliament, Dalli nonetheless avoided specifics with regard to the gene technology topics that rank highly on the agenda of the new Commission.

"Science is the basis of all decisions," responded Dalli to a question of the manner in which he intents to guarantee the safety of genetically modified (GM) products. He further stated that it is very important that scientific assessment remain independent.

Dalli also stated his intention regularly to proof the independence of central approval agencies under his leadership in Europe with regard to food and medicine.

Dalli also avoided the question of whether Member States in the future will decide upon the cultivation of GM plants on their own territory. In previous interviews, Dalli had expressed support for a corresponding suggestion by Barroso. In the "Political Guidelines" that form the foundation of Barroso’s second office as President of the Commission, he recommends "in the case of genetically modified organisms, the adoption of an EU-wide approval system but simultaneously to leave Member States with the freedom to decide whether they wish to cultivate genetically modified plants on their territory or not." Last year, some Member States including the Netherlands and Austria had requested similar conditions in order to break the political deadlock in European gene technology policy.

If the EU Parliament approves the new Commission on the 26th of January, the body may begin work on the 1st of February. It will then make a decision on cultivation approval for the GM potato known as Amflora.

However, the Parliament can only vote on the approval of the entire Commission. In the case that individual Commission candidates prove undesirable for a majority of the Parliament, the assumption of office for the new Commission may be delayed.

See also on GMO-Compass:

• EU countries should be able to ban genetically modified plants (25 June 09)

Further information:

• European Parliament: Hearings of  commissioners-designate
• Hearing Mr. John Dalli on video
• José Manuel Barroso: Political guidelines for the next Commission