1.EFSA's revolving door to biotech industry unacceptable
2.One million signatures for banning GMOs in Europe
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1.EFSA's revolving door to biotech industry unacceptable
*NGOs file complaints to EU Ombudsman and Commission
Press release, Testbiotech e. V. - Institute for Independent Impact Assessment in Biotechnology, 24 March 2010
http://www.testbiotech.org/en/node/354v

The Germany-based NGO Testbiotech has today filed an official complaint with the European Ombudsman against EFSA, the EU's food safety agency. The complaint targets EFSA's decision to allow Suzy Renckens, head of EFSA's GMO Unit, to become a lobbyist for biotech giant Syngenta, without any 'cooling off' period or other restrictions. Ms Renckens move to become a leading lobbyist for one of the major biotech companies in Europe implies an obvious conflict of interest.

"It is unacceptable that EFSA failed to act to prevent conflicts of interest in the case of Ms Renckens' move to Syngenta, considering the agency's powers over food safety decisions in Europe", says Christoph Then of Testbiotech. "As the two-year period within which officials need permission has still not passed, EFSA should immediately impose a ban on Ms Renckens lobbying to influence EFSA."

Testbiotech and Corporate Europe Observatory (CEO) have today also written to Commission's president Barroso insisting that the Commission must intervene to make EFSA tighten its conflicts of interest checks. The NGOs had written to the Commission before to raise concerns about the Renckens case after it emerged that no "cooling off" period had been enforced. The Commission's consumer affairs department (DG SANCO) replied it is not responsible for EFSA, which is an independent EU agency.

"The Commission is denying all responsibility for the activities of the European Food Safety Agency", says Nina Holland of Corporate Europe Observatory. "The Renckens case however reveals a bigger problem of undue industry influence at EFSA, feeding to existing doubts concerning EU food safety decisions."

According to the informations available, Ms Renkens informed EFSA of her new appointment by Syngenta in 2008. Although EFSA then had the right to take appropriate action, the authority accepted Dr Renkens' move and did not impose any obligations. Only in November 2009, after Testbiotech had criticised the case, EFSA contacted Ms Renckens and reminded her of her obligations in relation to confidentiality.

Complaint to EU Ombudsman:

http://www.testbiotech.org/sites/default/files/Testbiotech%20complaint%20EU%20Ombudsman_fin.pdf

For further information please contact:

Christoph Then, Testbiotech Tel.: +49 (0)151 54 63 80 40 and

Nina Holland, Corporate Europe Observatory, +32 (0)28 93 09 30 or +32 497 38 96 32

Corporate Europe Observatory
Rue d'Edimbourg 26,1050 Brussels
Belgium
+32 (0)2 893 0930

Testbiotech e. V.
Institute for Independent Impact Assessment in Biotechnology
Frohschammerstr. 14, 80807 München
Fon: +49 (0)89-358 99 92 76
Fax: +49 (0)89-359 66 22
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
www.testbiotech.org
Executive Director: Christoph Then
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2.One million signatures for banning GMOs in Europe
Institute of Science in Society, 23 March 2010
http://www.i-sis.org.uk/banningGMOsInEuropePetition.php

GM food: Facts not crops

The European Commission has just approved growing genetically modified crops for the first time in 12 years, putting the GM lobby's profits over public concerns - 60% of Europeans feel we need more information before growing foods that could threaten our health and environment.

A new initiative allows 1 million EU citizens a unique chance to make official requests of the European Commission. Let's build a million voices for a ban on GM foods until the research is done. Sign the petition below and spread the word.

Don't forget to include your address so that all of our signatures count for the citizens' initiative.

http://www.avaaz.org/en/eu_health_and_biodiversity/98.php?CLICK_TF_TRACK

To the President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso:

We call on you to put a moratorium on the introduction of GM crops into Europe and set up an independent, ethical, scientific body to research the impact of GM crops and determine regulation.