Raphael Vassallo The European Greens, together with their counterparts in Malta, reacted furiously yesterday as Health Commissioner John Dalli approved the cultivation of genetically modified (GM) potatoes in Europe, to be developed by German chemical giant BASF.
“The Commission has decided today to authorise the cultivation of a Genetically Modified potato, known as Amflora, and which is intended for use in the production of starch for the paper industry, as well as the use of its starch by-products as feed,” Dalli said at a press conference yesterday aimed at reassuring Europe’s many GM sceptics.
“The Commission has also decided to allow the placing on the market of three GM maize products for food and feed purposes. I decided to move ahead with these authorisation decisions in accordance with the provisions of EU Law.”
Described by environmentalists and some European ministers as ‘Frankenfoods’, GM crops have long been eyed with extreme suspicion by European citizens, largely on account of fears that such ‘unnatural’ crops may cross-pollinate with other agricultural products and/or natural flora.
However, Dalli was adamant that the newly approved products posed no dangers to the health of European consumers.
“After an extensive and thorough review of these pending files, it is clear to me that there were no new scientific issues that merited further assessments. All scientific issues, particularly those concerning safety for human and animal health and the environment, have been fully addressed.”
The Commissioner also revealed that other GM products will be approved shortly.
“There are other GMO files in the pipeline. They are at a less advanced stage than those authorised today. My goal is to proceed with them step-by-step, in accordance with our established procedures and the provisions of EU Law,” Dalli said.
Greens galled Not everyone however appears to have been convinced. Leading the assault on the EU’s revised GM policy is Germany’s Green MEP Martin Häusling, a member of the EU Parliament Agriculture Committee, who indirectly accused Dalli of succumbing to industry pressures.
“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,” Hausling said.
“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 designed in Amflora, I can only conclude that its authorisation is at best unnecessary and at worst dangerous.”
Meanwhile, Hausling’s concerns were echoed by Malta’s Green Party, Alternattiva Demokratika.
“Commissioner Dalli has probably set a record as an EU Commissioner: he has been in office for less than three weeks and, by issuing the first GMO cultivation in 12 years, he has insulted the over 70% of EU Consumers who are opposed to Genetically Modified foods,” AD’s Spokesperson on International and EU affairs Arnold Cassola said.
“It is shameful that a Maltese Commissioner had to be the instigator of such practices, which are detrimental to people’s health. Alternattiva Demokratika urge the Maltese government to block the Commission decision in Council”.
Italian Agriculture Minister Luca Zaia has also vehemently criticised the decision.
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