EU Countries Fail to Prevent Unauthorized GE Corn Entering Europ

["greenbase" <greenbas@gb.greenpeace.org>]

EU COUNTRIES FAIL TO PREVENT UNAUTHORISED GE CORN 
ENTERING EUROPEAN FOOD CHAIN

Brussels, 20 February 1998 -- Greenpeace revealed today that
Germany and the Netherlands have failed to prevent imports of
unauthorised genetically engineered corn entering the European
Union.

The corn has been arriving in the Netherlands and has been
transported to other European destinations including Germany.
Although alerted by Greenpeace to the potential illegal nature
of recent shipments, the Dutch and German authorities refused to
take any action. 

Tests carried out by an independent German laboratory (Hanse
Analytik) have confirmed that two shipments of corn products
which arrived in Amsterdam and Rotterdam in February contained
living corn kernels.

European law obliges EU member states to ensure no unauthorised
genetically engineered product enters the European Union. The
Dutch authorities claimed there was no need for action as the
shipments did not contain "living" maize such as corn kernels.

"Just last month, the European Commission urged member states to
take the necessary steps to prevent illegal imports of
unauthorised genetically engineered corn. This disregard for
European laws designed to protect the environment and public
health is alarming," said  Greenpeace campaigner Isabelle
Meister. 

Greenpeace has sent the test results to the European
Commissioner  for the Environment, Ritt Bjerregaard. "We expect
her to take action  against the Netherlands and Germany for
failing to fulfil their legal  obligations. The Commission must
also inform all EU member states and  the public that
unauthorised maize is coming into Europe through the
Netherlands."

The corn was found in the cargo of the Finix, which arrived in
Amsterdam from the United States on 6 February. The US 1997
maize harvest contains 0.5% - 0.7% of genetically engineered
maize which has not been authorised by the European Union. Other
corn shipments from the US are due in the coming weeks. Most of
the corn is destined to become animal feed.

ends

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