Proposed CODEX Annex to Assess Safety of Low-Level GM Plant Materials

The Codex Alimentarius Ad Hoc Intergovernmental Task Force on Foods Derived from Biotechnology approved a proposed annex to the Codex Plant Guideline that addresses safety assessments in case of low-level presence of recombinant-DNA plant material. Because of the increasing number of approved  genetically modified (GM) crops around the world, biotech plant materials may be present at low levels in shipments between producing and importing countries. Different sets of rules are implemented in different countries when it comes to the allowable levels of GM plant materials in conventional shipments. The Annex will seek to address the need for a standard rule that will apply to all countries.

The Annex will be submitted to the Codex Alimentarius Commission for consideration at its next meeting in 2008 and, if approved, an international standard will be established. The Codex Alimentarius Commission was created in 1963 by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and World Health Organization (WHO) to develop food standards, guidelines and related texts such as codes of practice under the Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Program. The Program aims to protect consumers' health, ensure fair trade practices in the food trade, and promote coordination of all food standards work undertaken by international governmental and non-governmental organizations.

 Read more at http://www.croplife.org/library/attachments/adbf6847-80a5-4ba9-9098-ef097b5dedb3/3/International%20Mechanism%20to%20Improve%20Agricultural%20Trade1.pdf or http://www.fsis.usda.gov/regulations_&_policies/Delegate_Report_6FBT/index.asp