WRITTEN QUESTION E-1569/00

by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(23 May 2000)

Subject: Genetically modified maize

One fifth of the maize planted in the US last year was genetically primed to produce a natural insecticide, the aim being to protect the maize from caterpillars and other insects.

Research carried out by biologists at New York University (Nature, 12/99) shows that the poison is also found in the maize pollen and in the soil. It remains active for 25 days underground, probably because it is protected from biodegradation as a result of bonding to soil particles. Because the study was carried out in a greenhouse, the researchers cannot determine what the effect of the poison is on the total biotope in, and in the vicinity of, a genuine maize field.

1. Is the Commission aware of the adverse spill-over effects of the natural poison produced by genetically modified maize? If so, what action has the Commission taken to prevent these adverse effects?

2. Will the Commission obtain information on, and/or conduct research into, the adverse spill-over effects of the natural poison produced by genetically modified maize? If not, why not, given the risks to the total biotope in, and in the vicinity of, maize fields?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(12 July 2000)

Council Directive 90/220/EEC of 23 April 1990 concerns the deliberate release into the environment of genetically modified organisms(1) (GMOs). Part B of the Directive sets out the authorisation procedure for experimental releases of GMOs, and Part C regulates the placing on the market of GMOs.

A consent under both parts of this Directive is only granted after a comprehensive risk assessment has been carried out to evaluate the risks that the GMO may pose to human health and the environment.

Currently there are two genetically modified maize varieties expressing the Bacillus thuringiensis toxin conferring insect tolerance that have been given consent for the placing on the market in the Community. Both varieties underwent a comprehensive environmental risk evaluation before they were given consent by the Member State, where the application had first been notified. These assessments included the consultation of independent scientific committees set up by the Commission, with favourable opinions published in December 1996 and February 1998 and a re-assessment published in September 1999.

Article 16 of Directive 90/220/EC provides for a safeguard clause, which allows Member States to provisionally restrict or prohibit the use and sale of that product when a Member State has justifiable reasons to consider that a product which has been properly notified and has received written consent constitutes a risk to human health or the environment. The Commission and the other Member States are immediately informed of this measure and the reasons for the decision.

The Commission is aware that Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) has been used for a long time in organic agriculture, apparently with a good safety record. The Commission is also aware of the experimental study on exudates of the insecticidal toxin from insect resistant corn plants. Following the publication of these new findings a procedure according to Article 16 of Directive 90/220/EC has been recently launched by Germany. The reasons given for the application of the Article 16 procedure have been sent to the scientific committee to see whether they constitute relevant scientific data that invalidates the original risk assessment for these products.

Based upon the opinion of the scientific committee on the issue, the Commission will take the appropriate measures.

Under its Fifth framework research and technological development programme, the Commission is supporting biosafety research, which seeks to address all aspects of the impacts of GMOs on the environment. The results in a popular format will soon be published and made available to the Parliament.

(1) OJ L 117, 8.5.1990.