In Luxembourg today, October 19, 2009, a lot is being decided on agriculture, and one of them concerns the approval of three biotech maize varieties. Farm ministers representing the nations that comprise the European Union (EU) “failed to agree whether to approve them,” according to Bate Felix’s report for Reuters.The genetically modified (GM) maize from Monsanto and Pioneer Hi-Bred (a part of DuPont) failed to gain the necessary majority approval, and disapproval of the varieties, in essence creating a stalemate. According to the Reuters article, this means that default approval of the varieties could come via the Commission, “the 27-nation EU’s executive.”
The European Union’s agriculture commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel indicated her disappointment in the failure of a decision to be reached. Boel also indicated “the European Commission would have to make a quick decision to authorize the GM maize by default to relieve pressure on the livestock sector if the ministers failed to agree.”
Many in Europe are very sensitive to where their food comes from and how it is produced. Those against the genetically modified organism (GMO) have referred to them in the past as ‘“Frankenstein foods.”’ Still, Reuters points out that “EU law allows for GMO authorizations to be rubber-stamped when ministers cannot agree after a certain time.”
Reuters reports that since 2004 the European Commission has approved various GM products, including “nearly all maize.” Until a specific product is approved it cannot be used on any EU “territory [.]”
Among those hoping for the approval is the livestock industry that hopes the GMs could help lower the cost of feed in Europe.
To read the Reuters article click here.
Posted: 10/19/09
