Can the EU calm citizens' concerns over GMOs?
The EU Scientific Steering Committee meets again on 18 and 19 October following the recent publication of its response to Italian concerns over the safety of several food products derived from genetically modified organisms that are available in the EU. In August this year the Italian government suspended the marketing of seven oils produced from genetically modified varieties of oil seed rape and maize plants. The European Commission referred the matter to the EU's scientific committee on foodstuffs, which found 'no detailed scientific grounds' for considering the oils endanger human health. The event reflects continuing concern over the use of GM plants and products in the EU, which the European Commissioner for Health and consumer protection, David Byrne, is increasingly trying to tackle. Mr Byrne is expected to announce soon a tough new regime for GM producers which would require biotechnology companies to pass more stringent authorisation procedures before their products can go on the market. These authorisations would be valid for short periods at first and subject to new labelling requirements.