Experimental Chinese GM rice enters EU

The European commission is writing to Beijing to demand an explanation for traces of unauthorised GM products made from Chinese rice.

Brussels has also sent a written warning to food importers “to tell them they are not doing enough” to keep illegal GM crops out.

“The presence of traces of unauthorised GM in food in the EU is illegal,” said a commission spokeswoman.

“It is the responsibility of operators to ensure that they do not place on the market food which does not comply with EU law. Operators are clearly not doing enough.”

The issue and national reports from Europe’s capitals is to be discussed at a Monday meeting of EU food safety experts.

Environmental campaigners form Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth have discovered traces in three EU countries of an unauthorised GM rice grown in China.

The rice, an experimental strain which has been genetically modified to resist insects, was found in samples of noodles in France and Germany and also in vermicelli in Britain.

“These findings are shocking and should trigger high-level responses," said a Greenpeace spokesman. “Consumers should not be left swallowing experimental GE rice that is risky to their health.”

The environmentalists report has not identified the quantities involved and commission officials describe the GM presence as “minimal”.

Europe does not allow imports of any forms of GM rice across all 25 EU member states.

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