91998E0130

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0130/98 by Kirsten Jensen (PSE) to the Commission (30 January 1998)

Subject: GMO

Can the Commission confirm that a genetically modified tomato, which should be less perishable and therefore rot more slowly than natural tomatoes, is about to be approved in the EU?

Does it think it is defensible to allow this product on the market when it contains an antibiotic-resistant gene which can perhaps be transmitted to humans?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (18 March 1998)

At the end of November 1997 the Commission received a dossier concerning genetically modified tomatoes from the Spanish authorities under Article 12(2)(a) of Council Directive 90/220/EEC on the deliberate release of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) into the environment ((OJ L 117, 8.5.1990. )). The procedure laid down in Article 13 is under way. The tomato contains an antibiotic resistance gene used as a marker gene and a partial endogenous polygalacturonase (PG) gene which decreases the rate of fruit softening.

Directive 90/220/EEC stipulates that before a GMO product is placed on the market an assessment must be carried out of the potential risks for human health and the environment. Accordingly, all GMO product notifications are assessed on a case by case basis which includes consideration of the genes inserted into the organism in question.

To date, the Commission has received no information on the marketing of genetically modified tomatoes as a novel food or novel food ingredient pursuant to Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 258/97 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 January 1997 concerning novel foods and novel food ingredients ((OJ L 43, 14.2.1997. )).