Technical definition of low-level presence of genetically modified material in seeds and foods
15.7.2013
Question for written answer E-008694-13
to the Commission
Rule 117
Julie Girling (ECR) , Britta Reimers (ALDE) , George Lyon (ALDE)
In June 2011, the Commission addressed the adventitious presence of GM events which are not yet EU-approved in EU feed imports. Regulation (EC) No 619/2011 defined the level of 0.1% as representing the technical zero. No corresponding regulations are yet in place for foodstuffs.
The need for a technical solution for food was recognised by Commissioner Borg in his answer of 31 January 2013 to Written Question E-011187-12 by Britta Reimers MEP (low-level presence of genetically modified material in seeds and foods, 7 December 2012). However, no developments have been seen in the meantime.
In light of the growing risk of disruption to the food supply chain with major economic consequences:
- 1.What are the technical differences between food and feed at the level of the agricultural raw materials (maize, soybeans, etc.) used for further processing with reference to Regulation (EC) No 619/2011?
- 2.When does the Commission plan to extend the scope of the technical solution/regulation to food, and how does it see the procedures — for example, with regard to timelines, correlation and unfolding?
- 3.When does the Commission plan to extend the scope of the technical solution/regulation to seeds and how does it see the procedures — regarding timelines and correlation — unfolding?
OJ C 66 E, 06/03/2014