Dalli demands transparency for GMO studies

(10 April 2010) John Dalli, EU Commissioner responsible for health and consumer safety – and thereby responsible also for gene technology – has demanded absolute research transparency in the biotechnology industry.

According to Dow Jones News, Commissioner Dalli spoke at an event hosted by Croplife International to demand that all relevant information, whether positive or negative, be reported immediately to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Commissioner Dalli also stated his expectation of clear and unequivocal communication, for example with respect to the gradual discontinuation of resistance markers for antibiotics. The secrecy practised with regard to information that possesses real commercial value must be limited.

Industry must participate

According to Commissioner Dalli, the industry fundamentally is called upon to participate in the debate surrounding GMOs. The goal of this debate is an approach to GMOs that is sustainable, coherent and responsible in the long term. Biotech companies also should perceive such participation as an opportunity to illuminate better their products to the broader public. In support of his argument, the Maltese Commissioner cited the Europe-wide reaction to the cultivation approval that his office issued at the beginning of March for the ‘starch potato’ Amflora: such a reaction indicates the sensitivity with which the topics of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and their cultivation continue to be regarded.

Future strategy, new ideas

Commissioner Dalli continued by stating his priority as the fulfilment of the future GMO strategy already announced by José Manuel Barroso, president of the Commission. It is expected that cultivation approval for GM plants will continue to be issued on the European level. However, as also demanded by Nikolaus Berlakovich, Austrian Minister for Agriculture and the Environment, Member States should then retain the ultimate decision of whether to allow the cultivation of the plants in question on national territory. According to Dalli, the Commission will present relevant recommendations in summer.