A recent study published by European experts is warning of dire consequences if genetically engineered plants are allowed to spread without control in the environment. They are calling for regulatory measures to be implemented for plants developed with new genetic engineering (or new genomic techniques, NGTs). Given the unpredictability associated with altered traits or increased fitness, particularly in regard to plant species such as, for instance, oilseed rape, NGT plants should always be rigorously environmentally risk assessed. Therefore, ongoing research into the interactions between NGT plants and their related wild plants is indispensable to enable the scientific assessment of environmental risks.
One of the two study authors works for the competent authority in Lithuania. The second expert was a member of the GMO Panel at the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), which has so far not been known to advocate for the strict risk assessment of NGT plants. In contrast, other scientists and authorities in Germany, France, and Austria have pointed out these ecological risks on multiple occasions.
Under the current legislative proposal, which will be voted on in the coming weeks, not only oilseed rape, but also NGT wild plants could be released into the environment without prior risk assessment. Methods of detection would not be required, which means that the NGT plants could spread unnoticed in the environment. Against this backdrop, Testbiotech is calling for the planned far-reaching deregulation of NGT plants to be stopped.
Furthermore, Testbiotech is demanding that NGT plants with genotypes considered “new to the environment” must be subject to risk assessment before they are released into the environment. The associated risks concern, amongst other things, natural plant populations, interactions with pollinators, soil organisms and food webs. Furthermore, crossbreeding between NGT plants could result in new, completely unforeseen traits. This could also endanger crop harvests.
Environmental concerns are also raised in today’s Council meeting, with several Member States heavily criticising the proposed new rules for NGT plants. However, the majority of the EU member states did not follow these concerns and voted in favour of the planned deregulation. Now, the final decision will be taken by the EU Parliament.
Contact:
Christoph Then, info@testbiotech.org, Tel 0151 54638040
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