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Biotech Traits Approved in EU Positive Move
Published Friday, November 06, 2009 at 05:50 AM
Kurt Shultz, U.S. Grains Council director in the Mediterranean and Africa, said, “It remains to be seen when U.S. corn gluten feed (CGF) and DDGS (distiller’s dried grains with solubles) to the EU (European Union) will resume, but we are hopeful it’s soon.” This comment comes subsequent to the EU authorizing three types of genetically enhanced corn for food, feed, import and processing on Oct. 30. Two of the corn technologies were developed by Council member Monsanto Company, YieldGard VT Pro™ (MON 89034) and YieldGard VT Rootworm/RR2® (MON 88017). The third variety, Herculex® RW protection trait stacked with Roundup Ready® Corn 2 (also known as 59122/NK603), was jointly developed by Council members Pioneer, A DuPont Business and Dow AgroSciences LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Dow Chemical Company. Corn products containing MON 89034, MON 88017 and Herculex RW protection trait stacked with Roundup Ready® Corn 2 (also known as 59122/NK603) are now permitted for import into the EU. USGC Director of Biotechnology Programs Rebecca Fecitt said these decisions offer encouragement that sound science is moving towards the front of the line when decisions are made. “We are very pleased to hear these products have received approval in the EU, following the European Food Safety Authority’s positive opinions on the safety of these products,” said Fecitt. “There are still products awaiting review in the EU, and we hope they will receive approval soon as well.” Shultz said the good news is end-users and feedmillers in the EU want to resume imports of U.S. corn and co-products, especially DDGS and CGF. “There is no doubt our customers in the EU would like to import these corn co-products like they did prior to very strict regulations,” said Shultz. “It is hard to tell how this will all play out, considering each country in the EU has different testing procedures when it comes to biotech-derived products.” The final step in the approval process is publication by the European Commission. “We welcome the Commission’s decision to follow the independent scientific advice of the European Food Safety Authority,” said Jerry Hjelle, Monsanto’s vice president of Global Regulatory. “Moreover, these authorizations will provide market access for these products needed by European livestock producers. We hope for timely EU approvals for other existing and pipeline products.” Pioneer Hi-Bred President Paul E. Schickler said, “We are encouraged by this approval and look forward to continued progress of biotech approvals in the EU. We urge the Commission and EU Member States to similarly approve biotech crops for cultivation so Europe’s farmers have access to the same technologies as other farmers around the world.”

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