WRITTEN QUESTION E-3722/00

by Erik Meijer (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(30 November 2000)

Subject: Development of sugars and insects as a result of the altered composition of the unusable parts of genetically-modified plants

1. Is the Commission aware of a recent scientific study, carried out at Southern Illinois University in the USA and published in New Scientist on 23 September 2000, which points to hitherto unknown dangers in the harvesting of genetically-modified and other novel types of plants?

2. Is the Commission aware that, according to this study, the altered composition of the plant may result in the local ecological balance being disturbed as a result of the abnormal levels of substances such as sugars in the unusable harvested parts of these types of plant, which may lead to their attracting different species of insect than the original (non-genetically-manipulated) plant?

3. Is the Commission aware that the supervisory authorities are only concerned with the saleable products derived from a plant (whether GMO or non-GMO) and that only the useable parts are tested for equivalence of composition, so that changes to the composition of other parts of the plant remain unnoticed and thus in practice unsupervised?

4. Is the Commission aware that it is now possible to compare the genetic activity of the original plant and the new species by means of DNA analysis, and of the researcher's opinion that this analysis requires refinement because it is currently at the experimental stage?

5. Does the Commission agree with this scientist, who is supported by concerned bodies such as Gene Watch UK, in thinking that such an analysis in spite of still being at the experimental stage and regardless of the possible costs is of vital importance to prevent the even more expensive future environmental problems which might be caused by disturbing the natural balance?

6. What possibilities does the Commission see of adapting the proposed legislation on GMOs to the most recent scientific discoveries?

7. Does the Commission propose to take account of these results, in accordance with the precautionary principle, in the forthcoming legislation?

Answer given by Mr Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(30 January 2001)

1. and 2. The potential effects of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) described in the New Scientist article relating to a conference report have to be taken into account in the environmental risk assessment according to Council Directive 90/220/EEC of 23 April 1990 on the deliberate release into the environment of genetically modified organisms(1). Such a risk assessment has to be carried out before a consent may be given for placing a genetically modified organism on the market. It appears therefore that the conference report does not refer to new information that is not already taken into account under the risk assessment of Directive 90/220/EEC. A more thorough evaluation of the report cited can only be given after assessment of the original data presented at the conference after publication in a peer-reviewed journal.

3. The procedures for the environmental risk assessment laid down in Directive 90/220/EEC, foresee that the complete GMO and not only parts of it are taken into account. For example, in the case of oilseed rape not only the seed, but the whole oilseed rape plant is taken into account in the risk assessment.

4. and 5. The issue of substantial equivalence, which is referred to in the question is currently being intensively discussed in the scientific community. This discussion is also taken up by the scientific committees set up at Community level and involved in the assessment of product approvals. These discussions on substantial equivalence also include the assessment of the current best practices or methods to be used in order to further define the principle of substantial equivalence.

6. and 7. Mandatory involvement of the independent scientific committees in the environmental risk assessment of notifications, as is foreseen under the revised Directive 90/220/EEC, ensures that the latest scientific developments and techniques are applied in the risk assessment. In addition a safeguard clause in Directive 90/220/EEC enables Member States to ban specific approved products should new scientific evidence justify the re-evaluation of that product.

The precautionary principle relates to a structured approach to the analysis of risk, which comprises three elements: risk assessment, risk management and risk communication. The precautionary principle is not a new concept. It has been used by the Community for some time in a range of policy areas environment, human, animal and plant health and it is explicitly mentioned in the environmental provisions of the EC Treaty.

(1) OJ L 117, 8.5.1990.