BRUSSELS – More than half of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) panel responsible for giving the go-ahead for the approval of BASF’s genetically modified (GM) Amflora potato in 2010 had conflicts of interest, according to new research published by Corporate Europe Observatory (CEO) [1].
In a second letter to Corporate Europe Observatory, the European Commission defends the way in which the Ad Hoc Ethical Committee handled the move of former Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner to reinsurance company Munich Re.
The Germany-based NGO Testbiotech has today filed an official complaint with the European Ombudsman against EFSA, the EU's food safety agency. The complaint targets EFSA's decision to allow Suzy Renckens, head of EFSA'sGMO Unit, to become a lobbyist for biotech giant Syngenta, without any 'cooling off' period or other restrictions. Renckens move to become a leading lobbyist for one of the major biotech companies in Europe implies an obvious conflict of interest.
Corporate Europe Observatory (CEO) has sent a joint open letter to the European Commission to highlight concerns about "revolving doors" after the former head of the European Food Standards Agency GMO panel became a lobbyist for Syngenta. The European Food Standards Agency failed to intervene to impose a "cooling off" period before the move - which creates a clear conflict of interest.
For the first time, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has admitted that it did not take the necessary action to stop revolving doors. EFSA has stated that “regrettably” the authority did not follow up the relevant information. Further, the authority acknowledges that it has strengthened internal rules in response.
Corporate Europe Observatory (CEO) is a research and campaign group working to expose and challenge the privileged access and influence enjoyed by corporations and their lobby groups in EU policy making.
