WRITTEN QUESTION E-1948/99

by Gérard Deprez (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(4 November 1999)

Subject: Method of controlling genetic traits

Is the Commission aware that the American biotechnology group Monsanto has developed a method of controlling genetic traits? This technique enables farmers to activate or deactivate certain genes present in a plant for the purpose of resisting attacks by insect pests or making the plant herbicide-tolerant. However, such activation/deactivation can only be controlled by applying to the plants a chemical which is currently solely manufactured by the same company, the one supplying the genetically-modified seed.

The Commission:

1. Is it aware of this technique?

2. Does it have results of analyses of the possible risks which this type of genetic manipulation may pose to consumers of food products derived from this process? Can the GMOs be traced and detected in the finished products?

3. Does it intend, if appropriate, to authorise the marketing in Europe of food produced from genetically-modified seed using this technique? If not, how does it envisage checking that such products are not distributed in Europe?

4. Generally speaking, and looking ahead to the WTO Ministerial Conference in a few weeks' time and the forthcoming Millennium Round, does it intend to broach with its counterparts the question of the possibility of Europe invoking the precautionary principle in cases of scientific uncertainty in order to prohibit the marketing in Europe of food products containing GMOs or products produced from GMOs, without laying itself open to infringement proceedings before a WTO panel?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(28 January 2000)

1. The Commission is aware of so called genetic use restriction technologies (GURTs). Genetically engineered seeds that carry these technologies either produce plants with inviable seeds or they make possible to activate or de-activate by external means (chemicals, temperature, light) the specific genes responsible for the value-added traits resulting from the respective genetic modifications.

One company has recently stated that they are not currently investing resources to develop these technologies, but mldr do not rule out their future development and use for gene protection or their possible agronomic benefits. It is known that all major biotech companies and several research institutions in the United States and Europe are active in developing these technologies.

2. It is too early to determine the possible impact of these technologies on human health and the environment. These technologies are still in the conceptual or developmental stage and their commercialisation will take some more years. In any case, future products of these technologies will have to be assessed for their safety for human health and the environment, in accordance with Community legislation, before they can be placed on the Community market.

Depending on the nature of the trait and/or the final product, it would be possible to trace the specific DNA sequence for the trait and/or its expression product, i. e. a biological compound.

3. Council Directive 98/95/EC of 14 December 1998 amending in respect of the consolidation of the internal market, genetically modified plant varieties and plant genetic resources, Directives 66/400/EEC, 66/402/EEC, 66/403/EEC, 69/208/EEC, 70/457/EEC and 70/458/EEC on the marketing of beet seed, fodder plant seed, cereal seed, seed potatoes, seed of oil and fibre plants and vegetable seed and on the common catalogue of varieties of agricultural plant species(1), the entire set of established seed legislation, which has to be implemented by 1 February 2000, requires that any genetically modified varieties of agricultural or vegetable plant species, may be approved for marketing only if all appropriate measures have been taken to avoid adverse effects on human health and the environment. The risk assessment procedure shall be equivalent to that laid down in Council Directive 90/220/EEC of 23 April 1990 on the deliberate release into the environment of genetically modified organisms(2), account being taken of the amendments which will be made to this latter Directive under the current review process.

Furthermore, reference is made to the criteria and the assessment principles laid down in Regulation (EC) No 258/97 of 27 January 1997 on novel foods and novel food ingredients(3).

Council Directive 98/95/EC provides also that the official national and common catalogues of plant varieties as well as sales catalogues must clearly indicate any variety which is genetically modified. Any labels or documents accompanying seed of genetically modified varieties of plants must clearly indicate that the product has been genetically modified. The Commission will soon propose measures laying down such labelling requirement also for imported seed.

4. The Commission has supported a broad mandate for the Organization for economic cooperation and development (OECD) in implementing the request from the group of eight most industrialized countries (G8) to report on biotechnology and other aspects of food safety. Community policy in determining the measures to be applied for achieving the appropriate level of protection in matters related to environmental, food and feed safety, is based on current scientific knowledge together with the precautionary principle. Presidents Prodi and Clinton have already launched an initiative for a new dialogue on biotechnology issues, building on the discussions started in the transatlantic economic partnership.

(1) OJ L 25, 1.2.1999.

(2) OJ L 117, 8.5.1990.

(3) OJ L 43, 14.2.1997.