1.Commission Pushing Ahead with Proposals on GM Crop Approvals 11 key questions for Spelman
2.IRISH GREEN PARTY FAILS TO REJECT RISKY EC OFFER FOR GM CROP BANS
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1.Commission Pushing Ahead with Proposals on GM Crop Approvals 11 key questions for Spelman
GM Freeze, 23 July 2010

The European Commission is pressing on with new procedures governing the approval of GM crops for cultivation at a hastily arranged meeting next week. GM Freeze has written to Defra Secretary of State Caroline Spelman urging her to get 10 key questions answered before agreeing to any changes in the laws and procedures (copy available on request).

The proposals from the Commission to speed up the EU approvals of GMOs for cultivation and introduce a right to ban at national level were first presented to Member States this month (13 July). At the time GM Freeze advised Defra that they should be "approached with extreme caution". [1]

The proposals have been produced to overcome opposition to the commercial approval of GM crops. In return for concessions, which the Commission claims will allow GM crops to be banned:

“Member states are expected to adopt a more positive stance at the stage of risk assessment and avoid having to recourse to the safeguard clause to address non-scientific issues”. [2]

The Commission states there are currently 16 applications for GM crops for cultivation awaiting approval, most of which are for herbicide-tolerant maize.

In a letter to Caroline Spelman (copied to the devolved administrations in the UK) GM Freeze has set out 11 key questions that need "unequivocal answers" from the Commission before anything is agreed. They are:

1.     What legal grounds will enable Member States to ban GM crops without the risk of legal challenge?

2.     Will Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland be able to ban or restrict GMO cultivation without risk of legal challenge?

3.     Do the proposals from the Commission fully comply with the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union in terms of proportionality and trade discrimination within the EU?

4.     Do the proposals meet international treaty obligations of the EU and in particular with the ones established under the WTO?

5.     Will the proposed legal changes give Member States with any more powers to restrict the cultivation of GMOs than already available under Directive 2001/18?

6.     Will Member States using the proposed powers have the necessary legal surety that the ban or restriction will be upheld in the face of any legal challenge?

7.     Will Member States using the Commission Recommendations of Coexistence published on 13th July be able to adopt measures that avoid the contamination of conventional and organic crops to a threshold below 0.9% of their own choosing without risking legal challenge?

8.     Will all new and pending applications for GMO cultivation (under Part C of 2001/18) be assessed for risk using the new risk assessment procedures currently under discussion between EFSA, the Commission and Members States before they are put a vote at the Council?

9.     Will outstanding policy issues on liability and seed purity be agreed and implemented before any new GMO approvals for cultivation are voted upon?

10.  Has the Government considered the legal implications of authorizing GMOs if warnings of adverse health impacts are ignored then prove true?

11.  Will the European Commission postpone further authorisations of GM crops until all outstanding GMO policy issues are agreed and implemented [3]?

Commenting Pete Riley of GM Freeze said:

"The next few weeks could be crucial in deciding whether consumers and farmers will be able to choose to produce and consume food which is not contaminated by GM. What would be the legal implications of the loss of choice? The UK government must adopt a position to protect the demands of the majority of the people in the UK and European Union who want to remain GM-free. Signing up to a rushed and ill-conceived set of policies could plunge EU GMO policy into greater turmoil. There is no rush, and the UK government must insist that all legal, procedural, scientific and socio-economic issues are properly addressed in an orderly fashion.  

"The Commission has its own agenda, which is about speeding up GM approvals, and the UK must work with other Member States to ensure that changes that serve nobody very well don’t get forced through."

ENDS

Calls to Pete Riley 07903 341065

1.  See www.gmfreeze.org/page.asp?id=448&iType=1079

2. The European Commission’s Explanatory Memorandum says (copy available on request):

"Proposal for a European Parliament and Council Regulation modifying Directive 2001/18/EC as regards the possibility for the Member States to prohibit, restrict or impede the cultivation of GMOs in their territory (Doc. SANCO/    /2010).”

3. See Council Conclusions on Genetically Modified Organisms 2912th Environment Council meeting Brussels, 4 December 2008 at: www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_Data/docs/pressdata/en/envir/104509.pdf
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2.IRISH GREEN PARTY FAILS TO REJECT RISKY EC OFFER FOR GM CROP BANS
Comment by GM-free Ireland, 23 July 2010

The Irish Green Party recently issued two statements (see below) on the European Commission’s proposed new GM policy, which sound nice while failing to reject the three quid-pro-quos that the Commission is asking the Member States to accept in exchange for recognising their right to ban the cultivation of GM crops on their territories. The Greens obviously don’t want to rock the boat.  But that’s what we pay them for.

The Green Party must reject the EC proposal because it is a sham: (1) Ireland and the other Member States will have to agree to approve all the EC’s requests to aprove new GMO seed, feed and food products, (2) Member States will have to accept widespread cultivation of new GM crops in countries like the UK whose governments with to legalise them (which will increase GM contamination of seeds and the food chain), and (3) Ireland and other Member States that ban GM crops will expose themselves to a high risk of legal attacks and punitive trade sanctions from pro-GMO governments like the USA, Canada and Argentina, acting on behalf of Monsanto et al, via the World Trade Organisation.

The Green Party - and the Government of which it is a part - also fails to address the European Food Safety Authority’s refusal to stop providing positive opinions on the placing on the market of new GM seeds, feed and food based on confidential risk assessment data provided by the applicant companies, with no possibility of scientific peer review despite the unanimous request to do so by all 27 member states at the Council of Ministers in December 2008.

[For a detailed critique of the EC proposal, see our press release of 25 June: Irish government urged to reject "fake EC proposal for GMO-free zones” ”¢ 50 organisations say proposal would be impediment to trade: http://www.gmfreeireland.org/press/GMFI49.pdf ]

If the Green Party wants to be taken seriously on the GM-free issue, it needs to clearly denounce the EC proposal without beating around the bush, and do so now. Rock the boat!

Here are the two Green Party statements:
Greens note Commission's plans for GM crops

Proposal will facilitate Ireland's GM-free status, but concerns remain about safety assessments
Statement by Trevor Sargent, Green Party Spokesperson on Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.
15 July 2010

Cuffe welcomes green focus of agriculture report

Sector can benefit from greater emphasis on organics, sustainability and forestry, says Horticulture Minister
Statement by Ciarán Cuffe, Green Party Spokesperson on Transport and Marine; Justice, Equality and Law Reform; Foreign Affairs.
19 July 2010
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GREENS NOTE COMMISSION'S PLANS FOR GM CROPS
Proposal will facilitate Ireland's GM-free status, but concerns remain about safety assessments
Statement by Trevor Sargent,
Green Party Spokesperson on Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. 15 July 2010:
http://www.greenparty.ie/en/news/latest_news/greens_note_commission_s_plans_for_gm_crops

Green Party Agriculture Spokesperson Trevor Sargent TD has noted yesterday’s announcement from the European Commission that member states will be able to decide whether or not to permit the planting of GM Crops.

Deputy Sargent said: "This proposal further facilitates the delivery of the commitment in the Programme for Government to declare this country a GM-Free Zone, free from the cultivation of all GM plants.

"However, it is also of the utmost importance that the EU continues to improve its safety assessments of any new GM crops that it might consider licensing in the future. GM plants do not respect borders and countries like Ireland who are choosing to opt for a GM-free strategy must be facilitated to do so."

He added "Increasingly major food retailers such as Carrefour and Co-op Italia are requiring their premium food brands are GM-free. A recent GfK/NOP survey of shoppers at the Asda supermarket chain in the UK has shown that over 70% are prepared to pay more for GM-free produce. It is important that Irish food producers have the opportunity to take advantage of these important, growing markets."

Minister of State Ciarán Cuffe has responsibility for introducing a GM-free logo committed to in the Programme for Government.

Minister Cuffe added: "The introduction of a voluntary GM-free logo will enable Irish food producers take advantage of this growing commercial opportunity, add value and play to Ireland's strengths as a clean, green food-producing island."
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CUFFE WELCOMES GREEN FOCUS OF AGRICULTURE REPORT
Sector can benefit from greater emphasis on organics, sustainability and forestry, says Horticulture Minister

Statement by Ciarán Cuffe,
Green Party Spokesperson on Transport and Marine; Justice, Equality and Law Reform; Foreign Affairs. 19 July 2010:
http://www.greenparty.ie/en/news/latest_news/cuffe_welcomes_green_focus_of_agriculture_report

The Green Party’s minister for horticulture and sustainability Ciarán Cuffe has welcomed the publication today of “Food Harvest 2020,” an industry report into the future of Ireland’s agri-sector. The report identifies a number of green initiatives that farmers and food producers could benefit from including: a greater emphasis on certifiably sustainable production, horticulture and organic produce; forestry; farmers markets and farm gate shops.

Minister Cuffe said: “The Food Harvest 2020 report contains some important research and recommendations for the agriculture, food and fisheries industries. I certainly welcome the focus on smart green growth, and a recognition of the value of making Irish agriculture production more sustainable. Achieving certifiably sustainable targets, including carbon reduction, will not be easy but it will be commercially rewarding.”

“The promotion of sustainable and locally embedded food procurement policies and systems can be greatly aided by improvements in the Farmers’ Market network and development of Farm Gate Shops for which I have responsibility”

“The horticulture industry is experiencing profound problems. Very low margins over recent years have left producers in a very vulnerable financial position. The delivery of an effective Retail Code of Practise is essential to ensure further producer don’t leave the sector. A fresh look at how to develop this essential industry that supplies fruit and vegetable to our tables is required. A strong horticulture sector is required to ensure real food security.”

“Further opportunities will accrue with the introduction of the voluntary GM-free logo, which will take advantage of our predominantly grass fed beef and diary cattle, and build on the ‘Brand Ireland’ strategy to differentiate and add value to our produce. Likewise, major export opportunities exist for Irish farmers and producers in the UK and German organic markets, which are worth over €6bn. Development of the organic industry fits perfectly with future strategy suggested by this report.

“Sustainable development of our forests will deliver long term employment both in direct and downstream businesses, bio-diversity, climate change, recreational and tourist benefits.” Minister Cuffe added.