WRITTEN QUESTION E-0832/97 by Giuseppe Rauti (NI) to the Commission (10 March 1997)

Subject: New challenges to genetically modified maize

Several days ago, France banned the cultivation of genetically modified maize in its territory. In the view of the author of this question, this is a new and highly significant development about which the Commission must provide an informed explanation since, in many EU countries, governments, the press and environmental associations are either in two minds or are openly taking up positions opposing this new type of maize. In any case, despite the extremely heavy pressure exerted by the multinational company Ciba-Geigy and the governments of the United States and Canada, this type of maize has not yet been licenced for cultivation in any European Union country.

The reasons given for the French ban seem particularly significant to the author of this question because they confirm that scientific research cannot establish for certain what the long-term effects of cultivating this type of seed on the land will be. Will the Commission therefore give precise details of its position and of the proven scientific data available on the subject, with a view to reassuring the public, which is extremely worried and confused about this issue?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (10 June 1997)

On 5 February 1997 France issued Ciba-Geigy (recently renamed Novartis) with a consent in accordance with the Commission Decision of 23 January 1997 concerning the placing on the market of the genetically modified maize notified by Ciba Geigy ((OJ L 31, 1.2.1997. )). The product has been cleared taking into account that this maize will be used like any other maize variety. However, both the Commission Decision and the consent issued by France are without prejudice to other relevant Community legislation such as Directive 90/220/EEC on the deliberate release into the environment of genetically modified organisms ((OJ L 117, 8.5.1990. )) which deals only with aspects related to the protection of the environment and human health.

Therefore, the consent given under Directive 90/220/EEC for this maize is without prejudice to other additional consents required for the marketing of maize seeds for cultivation. In particular, marketing of maize seeds for cultivation is only possible if the relevant variety has been accepted for inclusion at least in a national catalogue of varieties of agricultural plant species, according to the provisions of Directive 70/457/EEC ((OJ L 225, 12.10.1970. )), with subsequent listing in the common catalogue of varieties with a view to free marketing throughout the Community. The maize seed may not be placed on the market unless it has been officially certified as 'basic seed' or 'certified seed'.

On 23 January 1997 the Commission adopted the Decision only after the scientific basis of its original proposal had been validated by the scientific committees for food, animal nutrition and pesticides. These committees examined in depth the particular aspects that were causing concern to certain Member States and in December 1996 delivered their opinions unanimously. All three committees confirmed that there was no reason to believe that there would be any adverse effects on human health and the environment associated with the genetic modification in maize. None of the scientific committees that examined the dossier and all the information available found any scientific evidence of long term risks for human health and the environment from the genes introduced in maize. The opinions of the three scientific committees were officially transmitted to the Parliament on 20 February 1997 and they will be published by the Commission.