Some weeks
ago the agriculture and food sectors were shocked by the discovery that an
unapproved GM strain was present in US long-grain rice, both in America and
exported to Europe, Japan and elsewhere (see “Regulated rice, http://www.cropgen.org/article_93.html).
Many countries suspended shipments and the rice was taken off the grocery
shelves (it was indeed illegal under EU law – even at very low levels
– because it had not been formally approved) although there was no perceived
immediate danger to consumers. The UK’s Food Standards Agency said “Our
independent scientific experts have looked at the data on this material and
have concluded that there is no food safety risk. Therefore the Agency is
advising people who have long grain rice from the US at home that they can
continue to eat it.” (1).
LL601 had been partially through the approvals process when Bayer CropSciences,
for reasons which were not disclosed but were presumably commercial, decided
not to proceed further. But when the strain showed up around the world in
US rice exports, the company resubmitted its application for approval to the
US Department of Agriculture.
The USDA on Friday has now formally approved the strain: "The U.S. Department
of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) today
announced that after a thorough review of scientific evidence it will deregulate
genetically engineered LLRICE601 based on the fact that it is as safe as its
traditionally bred counterparts" (2).
Rachel Iadiciccio, a USDA spokesman, said the LLRICE601 rice had been found
to be safe for the environment and could now be grown without USDA oversight.
Bayer CropScience said it still does not intend to commercialize the rice.
Will US approval make any difference in Europe and Japan? The betting is “no”
but one can never be quite sure (3).
Sources:
1. Testing to be carried out for illegal GM rice. Food Standards Agency (1.9.06)
(http://www.food.gov.uk/news/newsarchive/2006/sep/gmricetest)
2. Missy Ryan. Bayer's GMO rice safe without oversight, USDA says.
Reuters (24.11.06) (http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=scienceNews&storyID=2006-11-25T001302Z_01_WAT006629_RTRUKOC_0_US-FOOD-USDA-RICE.xml&WTmodLoc=SciNewsHome_C1_%5bFeed%5d-2)
3. Missy Ryan. GMO rice found safe, but trade still fettered. Reuters
(28.11.06) (http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=reutersEdge&storyID=2006-11-28T175325Z_01_N28461973_RTRUKOC_0_US-USA-RICE-GMO.xml&WTmodLoc=EntNewsFilm_R3_reutersEdge-2)
<<<back
