Commission controversy over GM potato

On 2 March 2010, the Commission adopted two decisions regarding the Genetically Modified Amflora potato: the first authorises the cultivation of Amflora in the EU for industrial use, and the second relates to the use of Amflora’s starch by-products as feed. The decision to authorise the cultivation of Amflora marks the end of a process which started in Sweden in January 2003. The authorisations are valid for 10 years.

National governments could not reach a decisive opinion on whether to approve or reject the potato variety, neither when they voted on the issue in an expert committee nor when the issue was put to farm ministers.

Commenting on the issue, Health and Consumer Policy Commissioner John Dalli said: "Responsible innovation will be my guiding principle when dealing with innovative technologies. After an extensive and thorough review of the five pending GM files, it became clear to me that there were no new scientific issues that merited further assessment… By taking these decisions, the European Commission fulfils its role in a responsible manner. These decisions are based on a series of favourable safety assessments carried out over the years by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).In parallel we have today launched a reflection on how to combine a European authorisation system with the freedom of Member Sates to decide on cultivation on GMO’s."

Mr. Dalli said that the variety would be cultivated only by designated growers contracted by the starch industry and that it would be grown in a controlled environment to limit the possibility of genetic material from Amflora being transferred to other potato varieties. This includes physical separation and separate handling during harvesting, transporting and processing.

Under the framework of President Barroso`s political guidelines from September 2009, Commissioner Dalli has been requested to create a proposal by the summer that would outline a Community authorisation system, based on science, which would include the choice for Member States to decide whether or not they wish to cultivate GM crops on their territory.

Commission president Barroso faced questioning in Strasbourg during a parliamentary Q&A session. Some MEPs critisised the Commission for breaching proper parliamentary procedure by not consulting with the assembly before reaching its decision.

Ian Hudghton (Greens/EFA group UK) said in a statement, "Public opinion is massively against genetically modified crops, and we oppose this decision because there is insufficient evidence that this particular strain of potato is not harmful."

During the debate Mr. Barroso said that altough certian groups "take a strong position" on the issue of genetically modified organisms, he was "neither for nor against" genetically modified food.

Opponents of GM technology are worried because Amflora carries an extra gene that makes the potato resistant to some antibiotics.

The EPP welcomed the decision, with chair Joseph Daul and Werner Langen, head of the German delegation in the centre-right group, describing the Commission’s decision as "a positive step which was long overdue". They said in a press release; "biotechnology must be the key technology for a competitive and sustainable agricultural sector in Europe, creating jobs in agriculture as well as in research and development. Europe has to retain its leading role in biotechnology."

The Greens/EFA and the GUE/NGL Group requested a debate on GMOs in the March plenary session in Strasbourg. Their request was denied. Greens/EFA Co-Presidents Rebecca Harms and Daniel Cohn-Bendit wrote to Health and Consumer Protection Commissioner John Dalli to protest against the decision and lack of transparency that preceded it.

German Green MEP Martin Häusling, a member of the EU Parliament Agriculture Committee, commented:

"I am shocked that Health and Consumer Protection Commissioner John Dalli has only needed weeks in his new position to show such flagrant support for industry interests ahead of his own portfolio. His decision to authorise the Amflora potato variety flies in the face of the 70% of consumers who are against GM food, as well as the anti-GM position of the European Parliament."

"There are serious concerns about an Amflora gene that is resistant to antibiotics, including one recognised by the World Health Organisation and others essential to medicine, for example in the treatment of tuberculosis. Serious doubts remain on possible consequences for human health and the environment. Since certain non-GM varieties have already proved to have the same characteristics sought by Amflora, I can only conclude that its authorisation is at best unnecessary and at worst dangerous."

For futher information

Commission announces upcoming proposal on choice for Member States to cultivate or not GMO’s and approves 5 decisions on GMO’s
Questions and Answers on Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO’s)
EU commission under fire over GM potato