Following today's vote in the Regulatory Committee on the release of genetically modified organisms into the environment, the decision to authorise the import and processing of the genetically modified maize known as NK603 will pass on to the Council of Ministers. The Committee, which is set up under Directive 2001/18 and representing the Member States, did not reach the qualified majority necessary to support the Commission proposal. The Commission will now, in the coming weeks, formally adopt the proposal to be sent to the Council of Ministers. The Council can either adopt or reject the proposal with a qualified majority. If no decision is taken after three months, the file returns to the Commission which can then adopt it.

If authorized, the maize, which has been modified for increased tolerance to the herbicide glyphosate, would be clearly labelled as containing GM maize. It would only be allowed for import after 18 April 2004, when the new EU rules on GMOs enter into application, and after the authorisation for food uses of NK603 has been granted as part of the new EU GM Food legislation.

BACKGROUND

News release from the U.K.'s Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA)

EU vote on import of GM maize

A vote will take place today at the 2001/18 official level Regulatory Committee on a draft decision on the placing on the market of a variety of genetically modified maize (Zea mays L., line NK603).

The scope of the application is for the import and use as any other maize, but excludes cultivation. Four other varieties of GM maize already have approval, dating back to 1997- 98.

This notification would not permit use of NK603 maize in human food - a separate application under the Novel Food Regulations is currently being assessed. Consent to import would not be effective unless and until the separate application for use in food is approved. It is unlikely this will be considered before May. The UK will be voting in favour of today's application for import of grain for use as animal feed subject to annual post market monitoring reports on general surveillance being submitted direct to the Competent Authorities of the Member States.

The Government's decision is based on a thorough assessment undertaken by the independent Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment. Assessments are undertaken on a case-by-case basis, and in this instance ACRE concluded that there is no evidence of any risk to human health and the environment from the import of this variety of GM maize. Accordingly there are no grounds within the Directive to vote against consent being granted.

Environment and Agri-Environment Minister Elliot Morley commented: "Today's vote is not for cultivation of this variety of GM Maize or for food for human consumption - just import for animal feed.

"Current EU legislation requires a case-by-case assessment of all applications on the basis of the scientific evidence - and that is what we have done. Our independent Advisory Committee has concluded that there is no evidence of safety concerns with this variety of GM maize.

" But all GM products have to be labelled, so everyone can choose. We have also made our vote conditional on post-market monitoring so that we continue to take a cautious science-based approach to GM technology reflecting public concern."

Notes

1. The 2001/18 official level Regulatory Committee considers matters concerning the operation of Directive 200/18/EC on the deliberate release of genetically modified organisms into the environment, including voting on applications following assessments by all Member States. During its meeting on the 18 February the Committee will be taking its first vote on an application to market a GMO since the Directive entered into force.

2. The Commission's draft Decision contains a provision which prevents the granting of consent until the work has been completed on the validation of detection methods which is required under Regulation 258/97 on Novel Foods and Novel Food Ingredients. This is not expected until at least May. The European Food Safety Authority has concluded that NK603 maize is as safe as conventional maize and therefore placing on the market for food or feed or processing is unlikely to have any adverse effect on human or animal health or, in that context, on the environment.

Directive 2001/18/EC of the European Parliament and the Council of 12 March 2001 on the deliberate release of genetically modified organisms and repealing Council Directive 90/220/EEC.

Regulation (EC) 258/97 of the European Parliament of the Council of 27 January 1997 concerning novel foods and novel food ingredients