Failure to respect the Cartagena Protocol regarding the export of products obtained through so called ‘new breeding techniques’

31.5.2017

Question for written answer P-003628-17
to the Commission
Rule 130
Molly Scott Cato (Verts/ALE) , José Bové (Verts/ALE) , Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) , Maria Heubuch (Verts/ALE) , Martin Häusling (Verts/ALE) , Claude Turmes (Verts/ALE)

Despite years of discussion and expertise, there is still no decision concerning the legal framework to be applied to the so-called ‘new breeding techniques’ in the European Union. No specific measures of assessment, biosafety, traceability or labelling are applied to products obtained through these techniques.

Cibus began to market its first crop obtained through Oligonucleotides-Directed Mutagenesis, SU Canola™, in the USA and Canada in 2015. There is no reason to think that this canola is not being exported to the usual trade partners of these two countries, including the European Union. After entering the EU, this canola could then be exported to other trade partners.

The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to the Convention on Biological Diversity requires that any ‘living modified organism’, defined as any living organism that possesses a novel combination of genetic material obtained through the use of modern biotechnology, be identified as such in case of trans border trading. ODM Canola certainly falls into this category.

1. Does the Commission know if any quantity of SU Canola grains is being exported from the European Union to other trade partners?

2. If so, can we consider that the obligations imposed by the Cartagena Protocol are being respected?