EU approves testing of U.S. GM grain

Food & Drink Weekly, May 2, 2005

The European Union approved a testing method for the unauthorized Bt10 genetically modified corn, a move that should end an EU ban on suspect U.S. corn gluten imports. U.S. shipments of corn gluten feed to the EU totaled $450 million last year. Last week's approval by the EU's Joint Research Center means the biotech grain can now be detected reliably by labs in U.S. ports, allowing the flow of millions of dollars of U.S. corn gluten and brewer's grain to Europe to resume, said EU spokesman Philip Tod. "All imports of brewer's grain and corn gluten imports must have a certificate that they do not contain Bt10," Tod said. The imports will be tested when leaving the U.S. but could be checked again by EU member nations when they enter their territory.

The United States reportedly has set up a two-pronged testing program: Ships that were already at sea when the EU imposed the ban will have cargoes checked dockside once they berth in Europe; consignments yet to leave for Europe will be tested stateside. Importers are responsible for using ISO-0 accredited laboratories to certify that all shipments are free of Bt10.

The restrictions only impacted corn gluten and brewers' grain destined for animal feed, because European and U.S. authorities confirmed that the accidental switch between Bt10 and Bt11 does not affect food products. But EU member states are monitoring whether biotech food products in their markets have been contaminated with Bt10. Further restrictions on food products could follow "if the evidence requires it," the European Commission warned.