Opinion of the Scientific Panel on genetically modified organisms [GMO] related to the safeguard clause invoked by Greece according to Article 23 of Directive 2001/18/EC and to Article 18 of Directive 2002/53/EC
doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2006.411
EFSA Panel on Genetically Modified Organisms
Panel Members
Hans Christer Andersson, Salvatore Arpaia, Detlef Bartsch, Josep Casacuberta, Howard
Davies, Ralf Einspanier, Lieve Herman, Marc De Loose, Niels Hendriksen, Sirpa
Kärenlampi, Jozsef Kiss, Ilona Kryspin-Sørensen, Harry Kuiper, Ingolf Nes, Nickolas
Panopoulos, Joe Perry, Annette Pöting, Joachim Schiemann, Willem Seinen, Jeremy
Sweet, and Jean-Michel Wal.
Acknowledgment
The GMO Panel wishes to thank Gerd Neemann and Achim Gathmann for their
contribution to the opinion.
Hans Christer Andersson, Salvatore Arpaia, Detlef Bartsch, Josep Casacuberta, Howard
Davies, Ralf Einspanier, Lieve Herman, Marc De Loose, Niels Hendriksen, Sirpa
Kärenlampi, Jozsef Kiss, Ilona Kryspin-Sørensen, Harry Kuiper, Ingolf Nes, Nickolas
Panopoulos, Joe Perry, Annette Pöting, Joachim Schiemann, Willem Seinen, Jeremy
Sweet, and Jean-Michel Wal.
Acknowledgment
The GMO Panel wishes to thank Gerd Neemann and Achim Gathmann for their
contribution to the opinion.
Type:
Opinion of the Scientific Committee/Scientific Panel
Question number:
EFSA-Q-2006-048
Adopted:
07 November 2006
Published:
17 November 2006
Last updated:
17 November 2006. This version replaces the previous one/s.
Abstract
No abstract available
On 29 March 2006, Greece invoked Article 23 of Directive 2001/18/EC and Article 18 of Directive 2002/53/EC (safeguard clause) to provisionally prohibit the cultivation of the authorised genetically modified maize MON810 on its territory. The European Commission received from Greece a written submission, composed of a scientific report, listing detailed reasons for supporting measures taken by Greece, and of 71 publications and statements.
As a consequence, the European Commission requested in a letter dated 4 May, 2006 a scientific opinion as to whether the scientific report and publications submitted by the Greek authorities show that there is an imminent danger for human health and the environment due to the cultivation of the maize varieties with the genetic modification MON810 expressing CRY1Ab protein.
Following investigation of the evidences presented in the Greek submission, EFSA’s Scientific Panel on Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO Panel) concludes that, in terms of risk to human health and the environment, no new scientific evidence was presented that would invalidate the risk assessment of genetically modified maize MON810 established under Directive 90/220/EEC (repealed by Directive 2001/18/EC from 17 October 2002). The GMO Panel concluded that MON810 maize is unlikely to have adverse effects on human and animal health or on the environment due to the cultivation of the maize varieties with the genetic modification MON810 in Greece.
