Europe in a pickle over GM crops rules

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Agence France-Presse

Europe in a pickle over GM crops rules
Roddy Thomson
September 25, 2010 - 7:09PM

As America chews over a bid to market "Frankenfish" salmon, Europe wants to drop scientific objections to genetically modified (GM) crops in a move even its backers admit leaves a strange taste.

With the GM industry and its opponents each sharpening their legal claws, European nations will debate a proposed rule change on Monday that would allow officials to accelerate authorisations for 15 new transgenic crops while letting those who want to keep them off their territories do so.

The continent is deeply divided on the GM issue, which has crept back up the agenda after Germany's BASF "accidentally" sowed seed from an unauthorised potato in Sweden and a furore in Britain about milk and meat from cloned cattle entering the food chain.

One European Union official describes such "Frankenfood" fears as "anecdotal" to the talks between farming ministers, but others say a move designed to protect the EU from World Trade Organisation prosecution will leave consumers in the dark.

Read more: http://www.watoday.com.au/breaking-news-world/europe-in-a-pickle-over-gm-crops-rules-20100925-15rot.html

[Kolesar]

1. I won't serve genetically modified food to my guests

-Prince Charles

[molly77]

2. It is ok for the masses but not for the Prince.

[jwirr]

3. I doubt that is what he meant. He is well known as a environmentalist

and was more likely putting the weight of his support behind them.

[Odin2005]

5. he's a kook, not an environmentalist.

[Nihil]

7. He supports his views by his actions ... how about you?

Calling him "a kook" suggests you don't know what (or who) you are talking about.

Suggesting that he is "not an environmentalist" confirms it.

:eyes:

[Francesca9]

4. There is no way to know what is and is not GMO

Last week I worked on this, perhaps using fluorescent antibodies to detect certain GMOs.

At this point it MIGHT be possible to detect most/some GMOs, but it would take billions and a huge skilled scientific team.

At one time I tested food for pesticide residue, which is technically like throwing a ball over your fence. Testing genes is like throwing a ball to Europe. There is no list of banned genes that I can check.

If someone says that their mango is GMO free we know that they are lying because there is no such thing - but how do we test a loaf of bread?

[Odin2005]

6. unrec for use of the term "frankenfish".