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Brussels - The European Commission on Wednesday put off decisions to allow two strains of genetically modified maize and one of potato, sending the three GM products back for more scientific analysis.
"The commission will ask EFSA, the European Food and Safety Authority, to analyse further scientific evidence on the effects of these GMOs on the environment and human health," spokesperson Johannes Laitenberger said.
"The commission will adopt these decisions if and when EFSA has confirmed the safety of these products," he added.
EU member states hold responsibility for jointly deciding whether GM products should be allowed on the market but frequently are unable to make a decision because they are divided on the subject.
As a result, the decision reverts to the European Commission, which usually follows the advice of EFSA, which itself has so far always given favourable opinions towards GM products.
The delay comes amid a growing storm over how Europe decides whether to allow GM products or not. Environmentalists and some governments, such as Germany and France, say that the current procedure ultimately leaves the decision with EFSA.
Greenpeace GM campaigner Marco Contiero said: "Today's decisions are a huge vote of no confidence in the EU food authority and vindicate Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas' concerns about scientific inconsistencies in the EU GMO assessment."
- AFO