An expert opinion commissioned by the German government shows that the planned deregulation of plants obtained from new genetic engineering (new genomic techniques, NGTs) is in conflict with international law. Legal experts at the University of Freiburg examined the compatibility of the EU commission proposal for the deregulation of NGT plants with the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. The Protocol entered in force in 2003 and defines internationally binding standards for risk assessments, notification and information obligations, as well as labelling requirements. Its goal is to ensure environmental and human safety.
The Cartegena Protocol was adopted as part of the international Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and is binding for both the EU and all its member states. The report comes to the conclusion that, at very least, the planned deregulation violates the notification and reporting obligations, as well as the labelling requirements. Moreover, in-depth analysis carried out by Testbiotech comes to the conclusion that it violates the obligations in regard to risk assessment as well.
The EU Commission is proposing that in future, plants obtained from new genetic engineering can be approved for release into the environment and also marketed without mandatory risk assessment or systematic labelling. The Commission is thereby relying on reasoning and criteria that cannot be scientifically justified. The EU member states, the EU parliament and the EU Commission are currently negotiating the extremely controversial draft for the future regulation.
Contact:
Christoph Then, info@testbiotech.org, Tel + 49 151 54638040
Further information:
The expert opinion commissioned by the German government