Friends of the Earth Europe

PRESS RELEASE

For immediate release: 8th December 2003

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GMO MORATORIUM HOLDS 

Scientific disagreement over safety of modified sweet corn
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Friends of the Earth has welcomed the decision by European countries
not to break its de facto moratorium on new GMO foods. An EU
regulatory committee today failed to support a proposal by the
European Commission to approve a controversial genetically modified
sweet corn. Friends of the Earth described the decision as a "victory
for public safety and common sense".

RESULTS:
Six countries in favour (33 votes) : Spain, UK, Netherlands, Finland,
Sweden, Ireland Three abstained (25 votes): Germany, Belgium, Italy
Six countries against (29 votes): Denmark, Greece, Luxembourg,
Austria, Portugal, France

Friends of the Earth was critical of the European Commission for
proposing that the GM sweet corn, which has been modified to produce
its own insecticide and is also resistant to a herbicide, should be
allowed into shops in Europe. In particular the environmental group
was concerned that:

* The new labelling and traceability regulations are still not in
place

* The proposal bypasses the new GMO approval process which is more
thorough and includes post-approval monitoring of health effects.

* Serious safety questions have not been fully addressed. These
include concerns about whether the genes had been inserted as
expected, criticisms that the safety conclusions made by Syngenta have
not been proven, and questions over whether the toxin produced by the
corn will cause allergies.

Geert Ritsema of Friends of the Earth Europe said:
"There is clearly no scientific consensus over the safety of this
modified sweet corn. The decision not to approve it is a victory for
public safety and common sense.

"The European Commission now has the opportunity to re-think its
position. The public doesn't want to eat GM foods and question marks
remain over its safety. The Commission must put the well-being of
European citizens and their environment before the business interests
of the US Government and the biotech industry."

CONTACT
Adrian Bebb     +49 1609 490 1163 (MOBILE)
Geert Ritsema   +31 6290 05908 (MOBILE)