Food Law News - EU - 2009


EFSA News Story, 9 September 2009

GMOs - EFSA invites NGOs to meeting on latest GMO scientific topics

In line with EFSA’s commitment to regular open dialogue with organisations with a legitimate interest in its work, EFSA is inviting NGOs to a meeting to discuss the latest scientific issues regarding genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

The meeting, to be held in Parma on 2 October, will provide an opportunity to update NGOs on EFSA’s activities in the area of GMOs and to hold an exchange of views between EFSA scientists, including members of its GMO Panel, and representatives from NGOs on these activities or other relevant GMO-related issues. These will include discussions about LLRice62 and comments NGOs submitted to the European Commission public consultation on the renewal of the existing authorisation for the GM maize MON810 following EFSA’s opinion.

Representatives from NGOs, such as Friends of the Earth, the European Environment Bureau (EEB) and consumers groups such as the European Consumers’ Organisation (BEUC) are invited to attend the meeting.

Whilst some NGOs have wider interests and views, EFSA is neither for nor against GM technology and its role is solely to provide an independent assessment of the safety of each GMO based on the most rigorous risk assessment standards and methodology – all according to European Union and internationally agreed guidelines.

EFSA is also organising a conference on the risk assessment of GMOs for human and animal health and the environment in Brussels on 14-15 September. The conference will bring together key European actors in the field of GMOs in order to enhance the understanding of the role of risk assessors in the authorisation process and provide a platform for EFSA to hold discussions with Member States’ experts, stakeholders and other participants.

Experts in GM risk assessment, representatives from risk assessment authorities in the EU and beyond, EU risk managers, and stakeholders from consumer groups, industry and NGOs have been invited to the conference.


To go to main Foodlaw-Reading Index page, click here.