EFSA Rejects Emergency Measure to Ban GM Maize

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has rejected the evidence
submitted by France “in support of its request to prohibit the cultivation of
genetically modified [GM] maize MON 810 in the EU.” As requested by the
European Commission, EFSA reviewed the French report but determined
that none of the cited studies “would invalidate the previous risk assessment
conclusions and risk management recommendations made by the EFSA GMO
Panel.”

Noting that many of the issues in question were previously addressed by the
GMO Panel, EFSA also considered the concerns raised by French authorities “in
light of the most recent and relevant scientific data.” Based on these findings,
the agency ultimately found “no specific scientific evidence, in terms of risk to
human and animal health or the environment, that would support the adoption
of an emergency measure on the cultivation of maize MON 810 under
Article 34 of Regulation (EC) 1829/2003.”

Issue 533