Commission says yes to BT-11 - consumers say no!

Despite our persistent lobbying, the European Commission has today approved Bt-11, a genetically engineered sweet corn variety developed by Syngenta, grown in the US. The decision comes after EU governments failed to reach agreement on the issue and despite documented irregularities in the application as well as massive consumer opposition.

Despite the Commission's disappointing decision we are still confident however, that this GE sweet corn - which will have to be labelled "genetically modified" - will not make it onto European supermarket shelves.

"The European Commission is supposed to represent the interests of European citizens and the environment, but has chosen in this case to defend US farmers and narrow agro-business interests," said Eric Gall, our GE political advisor in Brussels.

"Consumer resistance to GM food is as strong as ever. Many retailers have already responded to the wishes of their customers by avoiding the sale of foods containing GMOs, and there simply is no market demand for a GM sweet corn."

Syngenta's Bt-11 sweet corn is the first GMO to be approved in the EU since 1998. After having failed to gain approval from EU Member States, the Commission had the authority to approve it alone. By going ahead, EU Commissioners have ignored a number of concerns about the safety of Bt-11, the lack of full support from Member States, and the wishes of the large majority of European consumers, who have said they do not want GMOs in their food.

We are now calling on the Member States which opposed Bt-11 in the Council to remain true to their position and ban the product on a national level. "Member States that repeatedly voted against the authorisation of Bt-11 must stand up to the Commission's arrogance, stay true to their position and ban the product on a national level," added Eric Gall.

A number of similar national bans are already in place for other genetically engineered crops and products.

Bt-11 sweet corn has been genetically modified to produce a toxin which is naturally found only in bacteria. Serious questions remain concerning both the quality of the data provided by Syngenta and the assessment of the EU's Scientific Committee on Foods. Those concerns prompted the French authorities to state in a report last November that they could not rule out the possibility of unwanted effects of BT-11.

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

---