More votes at Council for biotech maize but still not enough for approval

Brussels, 20 December 2005: Earlier today the EU Agriculture Council of Ministers came closer to reaching a Qualified Majority Vote (QMV) in favour of approving 1507 maize (1) for food use in the European Union.

Three more Member States voted positively on 1507 than at the June 2005 Regulatory committee, however there is still a minority of Member States that continue to vote negatively on any and all GMO products, even though these products have positive scientific opinions from EFSA.

“It’s definitely a good sign that more and more Member States are voting positively on GMO products in the EU. We hope this trend continues and that more Member States drop their blanket opposition to GMOs in recognition of the safety and the benefits of these products for Europe’s agriculture, for the environment and for the developing world”, stated Simon Barber, Director of the Plant Biotechnology Unit at EuropaBio, the EU Association for bioindustries (2).

1507 maize for import and animal feed use was approved by the Commission last month and is already approved in 12 other countries around the world. Additionally, 1507 maize meets all the EU’s regulatory requirements, including three positive safety opinions from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) for all its intended uses in the EU.

1507 maize is genetically modified with a Bt gene, making it resistant to certain insect pests and was jointly developed by Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., a subsidiary of DuPont and by Dow AgroSciences.

For more information, contact

Adeline Farrelly Tel: +32 2 735 0313 Direct: +32 2 739 1174 Mobile: +32 475 93 17 24

Email: a.farrelly@europabio.org

Notes to Editors

(1) Updated fact sheet (December 2005)

http://www.europabio.org/articles/Background%20Briefing1507maize_191205.doc

(2) About EuropaBio

EuropaBio, the European Association for Bioindustries, has 50 direct members operating worldwide and 25 national biotechnology associations representing some 1500 small and medium sized enterprises involved in research and development, testing, manufacturing and distribution of biotechnology products.

http://www.europabio.org