Europe insists rice from US is GM-tested
The European Union announced today that all rice imported from the United States will have to be certified to prove it does not contain an unauthorised genetically-modified strain.
The emergency measures came after the US government revealed last week that trace amounts of a GM strain of long-grain rice not approved for human consumption, LLRICE 601, had been found in samples there.
The EU said it still did not have enough information to assess the extent of the contamination but needed to take preventive measures against GM rice entering Europe.
Under the new rules, which are expected to be in place for at least six months, controls will also be carried out at EU ports.
The EU said member states should carry out controls on products already on the market as well making sure they are free from the GM strain.
“The European Commission has today adopted a decision requiring imports of long-grain rice from the USA to be certified as free from the unauthorised GMO LL Rice 601,” an EU statement said.
“The emergency measures adopted by the Commission today mean that, with immediate effect, only consignments of US long-grain rice that have been tested by an accredited laboratory using a validated testing method and accompanied by a certificate assuring the absence of LL Rice 601, can enter the EU.”
Markos Kyprianou, Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection, said: “We have strict legislation in place in the EU to ensure that any GM product put on the European market has undergone a thorough authorisation procedure based on scientific assessment.
“There is no flexibility for unauthorised GMOs – these cannot enter the EU food and feed chain under any circumstances.
“The measures we have taken today will ensure that unauthorised GM rice is not inadvertently imported.
“EU consumers can rely on the high level of protection that our GM rules afford them.”
Japan suspended imports of US long-grain rice after the news of the positive test in America.
Friends of the Earth welcomed the announcement but said the incident showed tighter EU measures were needed to prevent similar problems in the future.
GM campaigner Adrian Bebb said: “The EU and UK Government must put robust measures in place, including comprehensive and routine testing, to ensure that food illegally contaminated with GM material is kept out of the our food chain, and that people’s right to choose GM-free food is protected.
“This incident highlights once again that the biotech industry is out of control.
“In Europe, we should learn a lesson from this and be extremely cautious about growing genetically-modified crops ourselves.”
LLRICE 601 was developed by German biotechnology company Bayer CropScience to resist a specific type of weedkiller.
The strain is not approved for sale in the US, although two other strains of rice containing the same GM protein are.
Officials in the US said it did not pose a threat to humans or the environment.
The EU buys about 90 million dollars’ worth of US rice each year.
