Proportionate EU Measures Taken against Illegal US GM Rice Imports

On August 23rd, the European Union decreed that imports of US long-grain rice will need proof they are not contaminated with an unapproved, gene-modified rice strain that, US authorities announced on August 18th, had mysteriously found its way into commercial US rice supplies.

The new rules, adopted by the European Commission, require the United States to certify that shipments of rice are free from the offending GMO (genetically modified organism) LL Rice 601 strain. Today, the decision received the full backing of the EU's Member States that have been asked to step up controls at EU borders in order to ensure that only long-grain rice shipments with proper certificates are imported from the USA. Shipments without a certificate may be either returned to the United States or destroyed. Member States will also carry out controls on products already on the market to ensure that they are free from the unauthorized strain.

"We have strict legislation in place in the EU to ensure that any GM product put on the European market has undergone a thorough authorization procedure based on scientific assessment," said Markos Kyprianou, EU Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection. "There is no flexibility for unauthorized GMOs - these cannot enter the EU food and feed chain under any circumstances. These measures will ensure that unauthorised GM rice is not inadvertently imported. EU consumers can rely on the high level of protection that our GM rules afford them."

The measures will enter into effect immediately, and are expected to be reviewed after 6 months. MORE

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