2 Marketing of maize genetically modified
for resistance to corn rootworm
| (26536)
8635/05
COM(05) 163
| Draft Council Decision concerning the placing on the market, in accordance with Directive 2001/18/EC, of a maize product (Zea mays L. line MON 863) genetically modified for resistance to corn rootworm
|
| Legal base | Article 18(1) of Directive 2001/18/EC; QMV
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| Department | Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
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| Basis of consideration | Minister's letter of 24 September 2005
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| Previous Committee Report | HC 34-i (2005-06), para 2 (4 July 2005)
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| Discussed in Council | 24 June 2005
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| Committee's assessment | Politically important
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| Committee's decision | For debate in European Standing Committee A (decision reported on 4 July 2005)
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Background
2.1 On 4 July 2005 we considered this proposal, which stems from
an initial assessment by the relevant German authority concerning
the placing on the market of two genetically modified maize products
(Zea mays L. line MON 863 and hybrid MON 863 x MON 810). The European
Food Safety Authority (EFSA) had concluded that MON 863 was unlikely
to have any adverse effect on human or animal health or, in the
context of its proposed use, on the environment, but, in order
to complete its safety assessment on the hybrid MON 863 x MON
810, the Authority had requested a further study. As a consequence,
the draft Decision had been restricted to MON 863 maize, and,
since Member States were not able to reach agreement on it at
official level in November 2004, it had been referred to the Council
for a decision on 24 June 2005.
2.2 Although the envisaged authorisation had been
supported by the Government on the basis of the assessments carried
out by the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment (ACRE),
we recommended the document for debate in European Standing Committee
A, essentially on the grounds that any such proposal was inevitably
of public concern at present. In doing so, we also noted the provision
in the draft Decision which prevents the granting of a consent
unless and until a separate authorisation,[3]
currently being assessed for the use of the maize line in question
in human food, has been obtained under the procedure laid down
in Regulation (EC) No. 258/97.
Minister's letter of 24 September 2005
2.3 We have now received a letter of 24 September
2005 from the Minister of State (Environment and Agri-Environment)
at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Mr
Elliot Morley) confirming in advance of the debate arranged on
19 October that, as the Council was unable to achieve a qualified
majority on 24 June, the Commission had adopted the decision on
8 August (as it was entitled to do under the relevant rules of
procedure). He also says that, following completion of the further
studies on the hybrid MON 863 x MON 810, the Commission published
a draft decision on this hybrid on 16 August, and that as this
too resulted in an inconclusive vote in the relevant Regulatory
Committee on 19 September, it will be referred to the Council
as well.
Conclusion
2.4 We are drawing
these further developments to the attention of the House in advance
of the debate which is to be held on this document in European
Standing Committee A on 19 October.
3 (26829) 12197/05; see para 5. Back
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