Commission launches European network of GMO laboratories
Philippe Busquin, the EU Commissioner for Research, inaugurated the European network of genetically modified organism (GMO) laboratories at a launch event in Brussels on 4 December. The network is made up of more than 45 laboratories appointed by national authorities, and aims to develop and validate methods for detecting and quantifying GMOs in food and feed. The activities of the network will be coordinated by the Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC). At the launch event, Mr Busquin said: 'I am confident that the network of GMO laboratories will greatly improve our capacity to detect and screen GMOs and to provide a sound scientific basis for enforcing biotechnology legislation. The creation of the network of GMO laboratories provides us with an important tool to ensure that we harvest the potential that biotechnology holds for consumers in a responsible way.' On November 28 the Agriculture Council reached an agreement on the Commission's draft regulation on GMO food and feed, which will require all products containing more than 0.9 per cent of genetically modified material to be clearly labelled as GM products. Mr Busquin said that he welcomed the Council's decision on labelling requirements, but added that: 'Whilst robust legislation to regulate the use of GMOs in food and feed is necessary, it is not enough on its own. We have to enforce the legislation and develop reliable, validated tests to verify compliance.' In order to achieve this aim, GMO control laboratories from across Europe initiated cooperation, and between them compiled an inventory of all the technical difficulties that needed to be overcome in order to provide a transparent and watertight control system. This process has led directly to the formal creation of the European network of GMO laboratories (ENGL). Guy Van Den Eede from the JRC said that good relationships have already been established between biotechnology companies and ENGL, and that information exchange between companies and the network was key to finding effective validation methods. The network is cooperating closely with candidate countries, which will become part of ENGL after their accession to the EU. The group also works with international organisations such as the US food and drug administration. Commissioner Busquin highlighted the importance of ENGL in maintaining Europe's competitiveness within the global biotechnology industry. 'Europe has to maintain its knowledge and research capabilities in this field,' he said. 'The network will provide the necessary critical mass to compete in the world arena.'