Source: European Parliament
In order to ensure a high level of protection of human and animal health and the environment, the European Food Safety Authority carries out a thorough risk assessment before genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are authorised, which includes aspects related to long term safety. Following the granting of authorisations, GMOs need to be traced and labelled as such when released in the environment or placed on the EU market. Monitoring plans and renewal procedures (as all authorisations are limited in time) ensure that new information is assessed.
Over the last two decades since GMO authorisations have been granted in the EU, no safety issues have emerged and no measures -such as withdrawal or suspension- had to be applied based on evidence of risks to human or animal health or to the environment[1]. Therefore, the Commission considers the current measures adequate in order to protect farmers and producers and ensure transparency.
At the same time, as research evolves in this field and in order to update detection and traceability tools in line with scientific developments and innovative technologies in breeding , specific projects[2] have been funded under the Horizon Europe programme.
- [1] http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2003/1829/oj, http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2003/1830/oj.
- [2] Detection of NGT products to promote innovation in Europe | DETECTIVE https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101137025 ; Transition to safe & sustainable food systems through new & innovative detection methods & digital solutions for plant-based products derived from new genomic techniques, under a co-creation approach | DARWIN https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101136462 ; New detection methods on products derived from new genomic techniques for traceability, transparency and innovation in the food system https://cordis.europa.eu/programme/id/HORIZON_HORIZON-CL6-2023-FARM2FORK-01-11/en.