EU food watchdog under fire

Green campaigners have called on the European Food Safety Authority to put safety first by reviewing GM policy on genetically modified foods.

The EFSA holds an inaugural meeting of its ‘Stakeholder Platform’ in Parma on Thursday and Friday.

As the group is set up Greens have demanded that consumer fears over GM be placed above commercial interests.

Environmentalists are urging EFSA to fulfil legal obligations and take into regard “scientific uncertainties” around GM.

Christoph Then of Greenpeace is accusing the EU food safety watchdog of ignoring key evidence.

“Potential risks of GM plants have too often been groundlessly dismissed by the EFSA, despite scientific concerns. Our new report on GM maize Bt11 shows that it fails to carry out a full risk assessment of GMOs, as required by EU legislation,” he said.

Allegations of industry bias were also levelled as charities called for a review of scientific panels.

The EFSA say the new platform reaffirms its commitment to openness and transparency.

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