DIRECTIVE 2009/41/EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL
of 6 May 2009 on the contained use of genetically modified micro-organisms
CONCERNS ABOUT FOOD AND DRINK. February 2004.
It was in the mid 1990’s when, skimming through the masses of documents held in the European Union’s Documentation Centre housed in the Wolverhampton University when I first accidentally came upon the title “Novel Foods”. A title I had never heard of before and which was to become my first introduction to ‘Genetically Modified Foods.
The article that really caught my eye was under the Title “Novel Foods” and about half way through the article my eye's read this, The ability of the GMM to survive in and colonise the human gut”, of course I was hooked.
"The genetic modification might facilitate survival during passage through the intestines and colonization of the human gut. Antagonistic and synergistic effects on the composition of the intestinal flora may occur and have an influence on human health. Therefore, experimental data are required on the respective properties of the GMO”. ETC and end of that particular account".
Here is my introduction to Novel Foods.
Safety assesment WHO (29 pages and worth a read)
http://www.who.int/foodsafety/publications/biotech/en/ec_sept2001.pdf
From a completely different EU section;
Taken from EU Parliament 28.4.97. The Commission apparently took the decision to place a certain type of maize on the market despite the fact that a large majority of member states (13 out of 15) opposed that action. “The minutes of the Commission discussions on 18th December 1996 disclose alarming evidence that economic and commercial pressures were put before considerations of public health and protection of the environment”. “Whereas there still remains serious doubts about the safety of the genetically modified maize now authorized for placing on the market; noting the refusal by the regulatory Committee set up by Directive 90/220/EEC to authorize the marketing of genetically modified maize and the conclusions of the scientific Committee for food on the risks of transmission to man of a tracer gene to antibiotics”. (Also there was further scientific evidence that was not taken into account and no detailed studies as to long-term effects. What more can I say?)
I have to admit at this point, I had never heard of Novel Foods or Genetic Modification in foods before my encounter with the above around 1997, but my goodness since those years? It was here my ‘learning curve’ on this method of food production started in earnest. As some of you may know I recently wrote an article about Codex Alimentarius, coming your way allegedly at the end of 2009. The only consolation I have is that the people that run this, they will also eventually have to eat the same as ourselves and without doubt, if they do not, their Children , Grand children and all of their future generations will. What is the matter with natural foods, I do not know but more money is to be made from forcing us ALL to eat GM Foods whether we want to or not. If we do not, we starve to death. For some years now I have urged people to dig up their lawns and grow their own Vegitables. Now you know why.
We are told by the European Union ----- in fact the debates on this matter cover over six or seven years ---- and we are also told by our own Food safety Minister that the EU has strict safety tests before Novel Foods are allowed into the Market. Tests for safety in humans and the environment. Yet one maize was banned by Luxembourg and Austria; an act which was illegal in the terms of the Single Market. Although the EU was aware of the problem and that there had been 'altercation' about it in their Parliament, it was not 'withdrawn'. Not even as a precaution. This action by the European Union did not exactly inspire confidence in the product or the casual way they took care of the safety issue in the food we eat. All it proved to me, at any rate, was that the free movement of goods and rules of the Single Market came before the safety of the people and the environment. I do not mention here the making of money for the Company at this point.
Having read the details presented in the documentation, I think you can imagine how I felt and what sort of ‘confidence’ I had in the so called ‘safety precautions’ held in the EU. No matter what doubts governments may have about the safety of food, having transferred the sovereignty (authority) to Brussels over all foods, there is very little our Government can do.
After a few GM free years, on 18th Feb 2004 the EU announced its decision on GM maize NK603 to be referred to the Council for release into the environment. The EU’s own figures show that 80% of people were against GM crops. A Mori poll for the UEA found that while 36% opposed GM food, 13% supported it and 39% were neither for nor against. (In 2007, what do the people feel about GM foods NOW? I think they are even more sceptic about GM now) Anne Palmer.
The SADGM Compendium of Guidence. Part 6 Guidance on the use of GMM in a clinical setting
http://www.hse.gov.uk/biosafety/gmo/acgm/acgmcomp/part6.pdf
China and GM 306 pages WOW! They sure have had some trials here.
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