By Laura Crowley
The genetically modified LLRice62 poses no evident harm to humans,
animals or the environment, according to the European Food Safety Authority
(EFSA).
German chemicals company Bayer CropScience applied for the placing of
the GM rice on the market for food and feed uses, but not for cultivation,
in August 2004. Following extensive scientific assessment, the Scientific
Panel on Genetically Modified Organisms has now released its opinion.

"LLRice62 is unlikely to have any adverse effect on human and animal
health or on the environment in the context of its intended uses," said the
report.

The European Commission will now put the decision on whether the rice
will be made available on the European market in the hands of the relevant
committee.

The genetic modification intends to provide tolerance to the herbicide
glufosinate ammonium.

The EFSA board concluded that the labelling proposal in the
application is also in line with the EU requirements, saying that GM
LLRice62 is compositionally and phenotypically equivalent to its non-genetic
equivalent except for the introduced traits.

Spokesperson for Beyer, Annette Josten, told FoodNavigator.com: "We
are pleased with the recent announcement. We believe that our
herbicide-tolerant rice could contribute significantly to increasing rice
productivity in certain global markets, both in terms of quality and yield."

Despite the opinion from EFSA, it may be some time before the rice
appears on the market - if at all.

Adeline Farrelly, communications director at EuropaBio, the European
Association for Bioindustries, said that such decision-making processes can
prove lengthy.

She said: "There are many products that have gained approval worldwide
but that are still stuck in the European system. These are traders' crops
and so the slow process causes problems for them and results in a shortage
of supplies for Europe."

It is already approved for import and cultivation in the US and
Canada, but has not been commercialised there.

The committees often have difficulties reaching a majority decision,
as with the issue on the European Commission proposal to lift Austria's
restrictions on the import and processing two types on GM maize - MON 810
and T25.

The last GM product to be approved for cultivation in Europe was in
1998. Some genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have been approved since
then for import, but only very slowly.

Farelly added: "We believe the Commission should accept it
responsibility and sort out the backlog of products waiting for approval."

Earlier this year, Greenpeace filed a petition against the use of
Bayer's LLRice62 for food, animal feed and processing.

Green agencies have concerns about the unknown impact GMOs may have on
the environment, particularly in regards to cross-contamination.

"The long term effects of GM crops have not been properly researched
and, by cross-pollinating with non-GM crops and wild plants, they replicate
themselves and contaminate the environment with genetic pollution that is
impossible to clean up," said Greenpeace.

Friends of the Earth Food campaigner Richard Hines said: "Time and
time again consumers have made it clear that they don't want to eat GM food.
But if Bayer's LLRice62 is given approval, people across Europe will face
the prospect of finding GM rice on their plates."

He added: "Switching to GM has been disastrous for many farmers, but a
green light in Europe would give Bayer the go-ahead to push for GM rice
cultivation in the developing world. It is therefore vital that Commission
doesn't forget the worldwide health, environmental and social impacts of
their decision."
[www.foodproductiondaily.com]