The cultivation of seeds comprising GMOs is prohibited in France, but “A hundred GMOs” in total are well authorized in consumption, in particular for « l’food human and animal “, indicated Tuesday the General Directorate of Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control (DGCCRF).
Authorizations “Which concern corn, rapeseed, cotton, soybeans and sugar beet, allow seeds to be imported and marketed for processing, but not for cultivation” specifies the DGCCRF in a report of “The search for GMOs in the seeds of field crops” posted on Tuesday.
In food or textile products, “The GMO character must be indicated”, and “They are controlled by the DGCCRF”, adds the text, which thus confirms in passing a situation denounced by a number of NGOs on the legal importation of GMOs in France and in Europe despite the ban on cultivation.
The main purpose of the document is to take stock of the controls for unauthorized GMOs found in seeds. Following the detection, in 2018, of a batch of transgenic rapeseed seeds in France, “The investigations carried out in 2019” by the DGCCRF “Have targeted this culture and concluded that all batches are compliant” placed on the market and controlled, according to this report.
In 2018, 3,307 bags of rapeseed seed had in fact been withdrawn from the market and the plots already sown had been destroyed.
“The presence of unauthorized GMOs in seeds, seeds intended for cultivation and the first link in the food chain, can have irreversible consequences for the environment and represent a risk for health if their safety has not been assessed. “, says the DGCCRF.
In France, “The cultivation of seeds containing GMOs is prohibited”, even if their marketing is « possible » under “Strict conditions”, recalls the text.
One exception, GMO corn MON810, authorized for cultivation in several European countries, but not in France.
In general, the checks showed that the main operators (seed companies, cooperatives, etc.) “Control the risk of GMO contamination of seeds placed on the market in France” after reviewing research protocols and test reports from major seed companies, seed breeders and their subcontractors.
Insofar as the seeds sector is located upstream of the food chain “And taking into account the significant economic consequences which may result from fortuitous contamination by GMOs (grubbing up, withdrawals-recalls, etc.)”, the DGCCRF “Will continue regular checks in this sector” indicates the text.
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