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Latest press release

EU Commission wants to allow GE maize SmartStax

Monsanto´s genetically engineered maize produces six different insecticides
3. June 2013 , Munich/Brussels

On 10 June, the EU Commission and representatives from EU Member States are set to discuss and probably vote on the market authorisation of the genetically engineered maize SmartStax for use in food and feed. SmartStax is a joint Monsanto and Dow AgroSciences product that produces six insecticidal proteins and is tolerant to two herbicides. Although dossiers from the industry showed substantial flaws its market authorisation was viewed favourably by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) in 2010. For example, combinatorial effects between the insecticidal toxins and the residues from spraying were never investigated. So far, SmartStax is not authorised for sale on the EU market. In December 2012, Testbiotech raised the alarm warning that the maize might have already entered the market illegally. Instead of stopping imports, the Commission is now pressing ahead by trying to force a decision through allowing SmartStax for use in food and feed.

Read more
Agenda of the meeting of the EU Commission with member states
Backgrounder on the maize imports
More background on risk assessment of SmartStax
Correspondence with EU Commission and complaint to the EU Ombudsman
Briefing on risk assessment of pollen from GE maize MON810
E-mail alert to prevent the EU Commission from allowing SmartStax to be sold in the EU:

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