Austria to reopen EU GM debate

The Austrian EU presidency is set to rekindle a heated debate on biotech food by reopening discussions on Europe’s controversial GM approvals process.

Writing in the latest issue of Parliament Magazine, Austrian agriculture and environment minister, Joseph Proell said he will ask national environment ministers meeting in Brussels on March 9 to take another look at the EU’s GM authorisation procedures.

“The Austrian presidency will initiate another debate on the longstanding practice of approving GMOs when no qualified majority is reached [by national ministers],” said Proell.

EU capitals consistently fail to reach a qualified majority agreement on new GM crop approvals, leaving the European commission to rubber stamp authorisations through a default ‘comitology’ procedure.

“These procedural powers of the commission are far from ideal,” said Proell.

The Austrian said he will field two questions to Europe’s environment ministers, one on the way the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) deals with conflicting advice on GMOs and the second on changing the GM approvals process to accommodate a straight majority decision.

Austria heads a group of EU member states including Greece and Luxembourg that vehemently oppose GM crops, regularly blocking authorisations.

Vienna also has concerns with the role of the EFSA. The European food watchdog has been accused of ignoring scientific uncertainties on GM and of being biased towards the biotech industry.

Proell argues that European consumers have legitimate concerns over GM products, which Vienna takes “very seriously.”

“Europeans have remained very sceptical about whether GMOs are harmless, notably when it comes to growing GM crops alongside conventional ones,” said Proell.

The Austrian EU presidency and the commission are holding a conference on GM coexistence in April to explore the issues.

“Given the fact that EU member states are currently progressing in their development of coexistence rules, I believe it is the right time to discuss these issues together and try to find workable solutions at a European level for all stakeholders involved, said Proell.”

But Simon Barber, director of plant biotechnology at pro GM lobby Europabio, said he was concerned that Austria was using its EU presidency as an opportunity to push what he called “anti technology policy.”

“If you look at some of the statements minister Proell has made, it’s clear he doesn’t want anybody to use [GM] technology,” said Barber.

“Coexistence suggests people are going to be able to choose, to have to get on with each other, but I don’t see a really objective plan to allow people to choose.”

But Eric Gall of Greenpeace said a debate was urgently needed.

“Minister Proell raises crucial points about the lack of implementation of the EU’s system. It remains untransparent, undemocratic and the EFSA has simply ignored its legal requirements to assess the long term effects of GMOs," said Gall.

Gall said that he expected the commission to use the coexistence conference to justify its current position.

“That position is to do nothing.  The commission approves GMOs, but then leaves farmers to deal with the consequences. By refusing to change its position on cross-contamination the commission is dodging its responsibilities." said Gall.

"It’s time that the commission listened to the concerns of citizens and governments."

Read the full Joseph Proell article here

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