Public Comments from the Assessment Report of the Netherlands Competent Authority in accordance with Directive 2001/18/EC – Notification C/NL/04/02 October 8th, 2009
Public comments
The Summary Notification Information Format (SNIF) was initially published on the Joint Research Center (JRC) website on September 29 (2004). Public comments were received during 30 days, and originated from the Netherlands (3), Italy (1), Ireland (1) and the UK (1). On December 2004, a revised SNIF was published on the JRC website due to the limitation of the scope, i.e. the withdrawal of line 123.2.2. Only public comments originating from Dutch persons are addressed by the Netherlands CA in this assessment report, and are summarized below, under points 1 to 3. Public comments originating from other member states are to be addressed by the relevant CA’s under the 2001/18/EC, during their national assessment in the 60-day period.
Public comments on the notification C/NL/04/02 and reaction of the Netherlands CA
Public comments which were addressed by the Netherlands CA were submitted by:
- Ms. Van Dort, Den Haag, The Netherlands;
- Mr. Schöttelndreier, Groenekan, The Netherlands;
- Mr. Stellingwerf, Ede, The Netherlands.
1. Ms. Van Dort is of the opinion that nature is beautiful enough and therefore sees no reason for colour modification.
Answer: Comments of an ideological nature fall outside the scope of the legal framework of Directive 2001/18/EC. A notification under Directive 2001/18/EC is assessed on possible risks for human health and the environment.
2. Mr. Schöttelndreier objects to the notification because the long term ecological consequences of introducing GMO’s in nature have not been fully assessed.
Answer: The scope of the notification is import only, so no cultivation will take place in the EU. Therefore, there is no reason to assess long term ecological effects as a result of cultivation of the colour modified carnation within the territory of the EU.
3. Mr. Stellingwerf is of the opinion that consents for the deliberate releases of GMO’s should be based on a ‘no, unless..’-basis and regards a colour modification of flowers not a legitimate ground. He also states that other alternatives are available.
Answer: A notification under Directive 2001/18/EC is assessed on possible risks for human health and the environment. If no risks are identified, there is no legal basis to withhold admission of GMO’s to the European market.
A consideration of alternatives is beyond the scope of Directive 2001/18/EC.
Any more comments? Any more questions?