www.checkbiotech.org ; www.raupp.info ; www.czu.cz

EU biotech experts failed on Thursday to agree on approving an application
for genetically modified (GMO) sugar beet, again exposing the bloc's
deep-seated rift on biotech foods, the European Commission said - by Jeremy
Smith.
The sugar beet, called H7-1, was developed jointly by U.S. biotech giant
Monsanto and German plant breeding company KWS SAAT AG to resist
glyphosate-containing herbicides.

The application is for use in food and animal feed produced from the beet,
for example sugar, syrup, dried pulp and molasses. The modified sugar beet
would not be for cultivation.

Experts representing the EU's 27 national governments failed to reach the
consensus needed in the EU weighted voting system either to approve or
reject the application. Under EU law, the paperwork now goes to EU ministers
for a final decision.

If the ministers fail to take a decision within three months, then the
Commission -- the EU's executive arm -- usually issues its own authorization
under a legal default process.

Since the EU's six-year unofficial moratorium on approving new GMO products
was lifted in 2004, the Commission has authorized a string of GMOs in this
way, outraging green groups.

For many years, EU countries have not been able to secure the majority
needed to vote through a new GMO approval. They last agreed to authorize a
new GMO product in 1998.

European consumers are well known for their wariness towards GMO foods but
the biotech industry insists its products are safe and no different to
conventional foods.

Maize decision delayed

The national experts also discussed two other GMO applications, both for
maize hybrids. But there was no conclusion and the debate would resume at
their next meeting scheduled for May 10 and 11, the Commission said in a
statement.

The first maize hybrid, known as MON810/NK603, was submitted for EU approval
by Monsanto and is designed to resist certain insects and also glyphosate --
the active ingredient in Monsanto's Roundup herbicide.

The second GMO maize, a hybrid known as 1507/NK603, has been developed to
resist certain field pests like the European corn borer, and also the
herbicides glufosinate and glyphosate. It is made by Pioneer Hi-Bred
International, a subsidiary of DuPont Co., and Dow AgroSciences unit Mycogen
Seeds.

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