Open letter : ECVC demands the rejection of the legislative proposal on genetically modified micro-organisms

This proposal will be on the agenda of the upcoming meeting of EU Health ministers on the 16 June, where there will already potentially be an agreement of the Member States on this file. This proposal plans to allow the release into the environment of certain genetically modified microorganisms (GMMs) without a case-by-case risk evaluation and without analytical traceability requirements, making it impossible to remove them if any damage arise after their release. Additionnaly, these GMMs are covered by patents, which could lead to legal issues for farmers in case of contaminations.

As explained in more detail the letter, farmers are one of the main managers of soil micro-organisms and they are very concerned about the potential effects on agricultural systems, wild ecosystems and interactions with human health, especially when there is little scientific evidence showing that these GMMs will not cause damage.

Given the limited scientific understanding of microbial ecology, the potentially serious risks involved, and the possible impacts on conventional and organic food production, ECVC demands that EU Member States position themselves for a rejection of the proposal.