GMO Food for Thought

Farmer in France Sued for Growing GM Maize Part II

Abstract: Members continue to discuss the case of a French farmer who is being sued for growing GM Maize. One member questions whether the farmer could potentially counter sue the activists for trespassing or vandalism.

BASF Takes the European Commission to Court Over Non-Approval of Amflora Potato

Abstract: BASF announced that it “filed an action with the European Court of First Instance in Luxembourg against the EU Commission for failure to act. According to the company, the approval process of the cultivation of Amflora, its genetically improved potato, has been unjustifiably delayed by the EU Commission on several occasions. In particular, this includes the period between July 2007 and May 2008 during which Commissioner Stavros Dimas did not adopt the approval for the cultivation of Amflora following the completion of all other procedural steps.” Several members commented on this announcement, many remarking on the differences between regular potatoes and BASF’s genetically engineered potatoes. One member asked about there taste, which spurred discussion about a group of scientists who publically taste-tested a GM tomato and received much criticism for it.

Source: BASF News Release
National Center for Biotechnology Information

European Commission to Drop Zero-Tolerance Policy

Abstract: A member posted a German article reporting the European Commission intents to end the current zero-tolerance policy for unapproved GMOs in food and feed. According to internal documents by GD Health obtained by the paper, the EC envisions allowing trace amounts of up to 0.1 percent. Others in the group responded by saying that this was merely a formality and that nothing is really changing.

Source: Frankfurter Rundschau (German)