By Emily Smith - 12th February 2004
MEPs are to defy European Parliament “censorship” of a controversial study on the dangers of food containing plastic objects.
Socialist MEP Eryl McNally has announced her intention of making the blocked report on ‘inedibles’ – usually toys – included in foodstuffs available on her website.
“I will not be a party to this censorship at the request of industry,” she said.
Her defiant move comes after the parliament’s Scientific and Technical Options Advisory panel (STOA) voted against publication.
Claims that the probe showed "bias" against a brand of well known chocolate eggs containing plastic toys have sparked furious exchanges and led to the resignation of a senior MEP from the STOA.
“Parliament loses all credibility when it gives in to industrial interests and withholds information from the public in this way,” said McNally.
“It is shocking that the tragedy of death by choking in small children cannot be investigated.”
The report will be available on the MEP’s website in the next few days.
Several cases of children choking in Sweden, Greece and the UK triggered a European Parliament investigation, and the “suppressed” report is the result of this research.
McNally’s decision found strong support amongst her fellow socialist MEPs.
Philip Whitehead called the decision not to publish “A lamentable act of suppression in the European Parliament”.
“Of the six scientists involved [in this decision] five favoured its publication as a reputable scientific document; one said it was biased against chocolate eggs,” he said.
Whilst Minerva Malliori, responsible for instigating the report originally, said “this vote creates by itself and regardless of its outcome an extremely serious moral problem”.
Glyn Ford has resigned from STOA in protest.
He defended his decision, saying: “I have been involved in STOA since it was set up 20 years ago - I shall not be taking any further part in its proceedings”.
Dr Peter Collins of the Royal Society said the report was “of sufficient scientific merit that it should be made available”.
Have your say...
Please enter your comments below.