Romanian Agriculture Ministry Careful About Authorizing GMOs – Minister

In order for a GMO to be grown in Romania, an evaluation, carried out by the European Food Safety Authority, must prove the GMO presents no risk to the health of humans, animals or the environment, and must show a significant economic advantage to the Romanian agriculture and economy, the minister said.

Referring to the fact that decisions on GMOs are usually controversial, Dumitru said there is no „scientific basis” for „concern”.

In the specific case of Amflora, a type of genetically engineered potato, the minister said it had been authorized by the former European Commission „after much hesitation and delay.” Dumitru said Romanian farmers would not be too interested in growing Amflora, as it is developed specifically for the industrial production of starch.

The minister said decisions on the growth of GMOs in the European Union are taken by the Council of Ministers of Agriculture and Fishing or by the European Commission, with the expert approval of the European Food Safety Authority.

Dumitru added that John Dalli, Commissioner for Health and Consumer Policy, recently said the EC would propose the system be changed to allow member states to decide whether or not to grow a GMO. The power over the import and processing of GMOs would remain with the community, however.

The European Commission in early March authorized the cultivation of a type of potato (Amflora, developed by German group BASF) and the import of three types of corn (developed by American group Monsanto), all included in the category of genetically modified organisms.