Obligatory animal test for GM food & feed authorisation unnecessary and compromises food safety

Posted on 26/02/2013

Eurogroup for Animals is extremely disappointed that EU Members States at the Standing Committee on Food Chain and Animal Health voted to include an obligatory 90-day feeding study with whole food and feed on rodents for the assessment of GM food and feed.

This regulation includes the mandatory use of an animal test. This decision goes against the European Commission’s policy to reduce, refine and replace animal use wherever possible especially as the 90 day study does not provide additional safety information. The European Food Safety Authority recommended that the test is not mandatorily carried out. Inclusion of the test does not meet the fundamental underlying challenge of ensuring the safety of GM food and feed products as the study is scientifically flawed and does not provide adequate safety information. Eurogroup believes that this process highlights the inadequacies of these tests and that more scientifically robust techniques should be considered to properly evaluate the risks of GM feed and food.

“Eurogroup is extremely disappointed that Member States did not support a decision, which is driven by science and which gives sufficient weight to the precautionary principle This decision is politically motivated and no consideration has been given to whether this will result in improved consumer safety or what consequences it will have on animal welfare.,” commented Kirsty Reid, Policy Officer – Research Animals at Eurogroup for Animals.

“Despite a majority of Members States approving this test several remain sceptical and we are grateful for the support of the Netherlands, the UK, Belgium and Sweden who voted against the proposal and tried to ensure consumer safety without increased animal suffering,” she concluded.