(2004/C 33 E/137)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1599/03

by Caroline Jackson (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(12 May 2003)

Subject:   US Classification of genetically engineered crops (follow up to question H-0433/98)

Further to question H-0433/98 (1), what changes, if any has the US Department of Agriculture made to the US organic food standards so as to allow genetically engineered crops and the products of intensive animal rearing to be classified as organic?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(23 June 2003)

The National Organic Programme as laid down by the American Department of Agriculture defines the official American organic farming standards. It came into force on 22 October 2002.

Compared to the proposed National Organic Programme to which oral question H-0433/98 during question time at Parliament's May 1998 session by the Honourable Member was referring, the American Department of Agriculture has made a number of changes in the final rule.

As to genetically modified organisms, the National Organic Programme in its final rule excludes the following ‘excluded methods: a variety of methods used to genetically modify organisms or influence their growth and development by means that are not possible under natural conditions or processes and are not considered compatible with organic production. Such methods include cell fusion, microencapsulation and macroencapsulation, and recombinant DNA technology (including gene deletion, gene doubling, introducing a foreign gene, and changing the positions of genes when achieved by recombinant DNA technology). Such methods do not include the use of traditional breeding, conjugation, fermentation, hybridization, in vitro culture or tissue culture’ (National Organic Program, § 205.2). An exception is made for vaccines (National Organic Program, § 205.105(e)).

As to livestock production, the National Organic Programme requires living conditions which accommodate the health and natural behaviour of the animals, including access to the outdoors, shade, shelter, exercises areas, fresh air, and direct sunlight suitable to the species, its stage of production, the climate and the environment, and access to pasture for ruminants. (National Organic Program, § 205.239(a)). Also, ‘the producer of an organic livestock operation must manage manure in a manner that does not contribute to contamination of crops, soil or water by plant nutrients, heavy metals, or pathogenic organisms and optimises recycling of nutrients’ (National Organic Program, § 205.239(c)).

(1)  Written answer of 12 May 1998.