May 18, 2004Monsanto defies German government
The German government, who assessed Monsanto's original application for approval of the MON863 maize, officially asked the company to present the full study to them, after French Newspaper 'Le Monde' disclosed its details last month. But Monsanto has refused to hand over the document, claiming it is "confidential business information". This blatantly contravenes EU law, which stipulates that any information concerning human health or environmental safety must be made public. The study, carried out by Monsanto, found that rats fed with MON863 suffered a number of abnormal effects in the development of blood cells and vital organs, including the kidneys. Despite being aware of these results, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) delivered a positive assessment on the maize on 19 April. "How can the authorities guarantee the safety of products which they allow on the market, as long as Monsanto and other large biotech companies are allowed to defy governments so brazenly?" said Eric Gall from our European Unit in Brussels. "This case shows up just how inadequate and un-transparent European authorisation procedures for GMOs are." Monsanto's obstructive behaviour comes just as the European Commission prepares to approve the first GMO since 1998. After having repeatedly failed to gain approval from EU Member States, the Commission now has the authority to approve Syngenta's Bt-11 sweet maize alone. It does so in the face of a number of concerns about the safety of the product, in the absence of Member State support and against the wishes of a large majority of European consumers, who have said they do not want GMOs in their food. More information - Read our story: Greenpeace urges Ministers to reject GM maize Bt-11 - Read our brief on the EFSA: Failing Consumers and the Environment |
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