A consortium of U.S. commodity, seed and biotech groups has passed a letter to the European Health & Food Safety Commissioner asking for quick approval of more than 13 new biotech products, some of which have been waiting for the EU’s OK for more than a year.
The new biotechnology products include soybeans, corn, canola and cotton. The groups noted that, while the process for approving new biotech traits had slowed in recent years, it now appears to have come to a “complete stop.”
They assert that a timely approval will ensure that livestock farmers in the EU have access to a supply of imported feedstocks. The last import authorizations for new biotech crops were issued by the European Commission in November 2013.
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Noting the existing queue of 57 import files currently in the EU system, groups reminded the Commissioner of a commitment by EU President Jean-Claude Juncker to complete a comprehensive review of the EU’s biotech approval procedure in his first six months in office, and urged the Commission to ensure that EFSA’s scientific opinions continue to serve as the basis for EU approvals.
Read full, original article: U.S. ag groups press EU on 13 pending biotech approvals
