According to the decision, the corn, which has been genetically modified to resist insect damage, will be imported to Europe, but will not be grown there. This, despite the fact that an application has already been submitted for approval of agricultural processing of genetically modified crops on the continent
Last week, the European Union lifted a six-year-old embargo on genetically modified products, when it approved the import of genetically modified corn for human consumption. David Burn, the representative of the European Union for health and consumer protection, said that the Bt11 corn variety, produced by the Swiss company "Syngenta", was approved after "the most rigorous testing in the world. It has been scientifically assessed as being as safe as all types of regular corn," he said. "There is no question of food safety here, but of consumer choice."
According to the decision, the corn, which has been genetically modified to resist insect damage, will be imported to Europe, but will not be grown there. This, despite the fact that an application has already been submitted for approval of agricultural processing of genetically modified crops on the continent. The corn - fresh, frozen or canned - will be marked on the shelves as a genetically modified product. "The marking provides the consumer with the information he needs to make his own decision," said Bern, "therefore, the actual suspension can end." A spokesperson for the "Syngenta" company said that the company does not expect that the decision will cause an immediate change, as it will take time for a market for biotechnological products to form in Europe. "Syngenta" first requested permission to sell genetically modified corn in Europe in 1999, three years after its approval in the US and Canada.
Biotechnological products are still not accepted in Europe, probably due to the impact of traumatic events related to food that have occurred in recent years - from mad cow disease to poultry poisoning - and possibly also because of stronger feelings towards traditional cuisine. Union governments are still divided among themselves regarding the approval of new genetically modified products. However, the European Commission decided to lift the boycott, despite last-minute requests from opponents of biotech products, who argued that the bureaucracy in Brussels was cut off from the average European citizen.
"It is likely that the hostility towards genetically modified food will increase, and the public's trust in the decision-making in the Union will be damaged", warned Adrian Babb, from "Friends of the Earth - Europe". "Greenpeace" activist Eric Goll accused the commission of placing "the interests of US farmers and big business" above those of European citizens and the environment. The Union was under pressure from the US and other exporters of agricultural products, who claimed that the boycott was not based on scientific considerations, and was therefore illegal according to international trade laws.
