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The European Ombudsman Emily O’Reilly decided that between 2012 and 2014 the European Commission repeatedly failed to meet the legally binding deadline for processing applications for the import of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) for food and feed and did not make its decisions within a reasonable time. “These failures constituted maladministration,” wrote O’Reilly.
“We welcome the Ombudsman’s decision and the recognition that political difficulties cannot justify maladministration. It is encouraging to see that in the last few months the Commission has improved its timelines and we very much look forward to the Commission approving products in compliance with its legal obligations,” commented Nathalie Moll, EuropaBio Secretary General.
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EuropaBio has repeatedly called on the Commission to maintain a fully functional and predictable GM approval system, as the use of GM commodities continues to be substantial in the EU. Being so highly dependent on imports, it is crucial for the EU to avoid asynchronous approvals and risks of trade disruptions. This is why in addition to normalising the approval system at Commission level, it is important that increasing timelines for risk assessment at the European Food Safety Authority level receive due attention.
Read full, original post: European Ombudsman on GMOs: Clear Maladministration by the Commission
