Press and Information Division
The Community regulation relating to novel foods1 provides that foods which are produced
from genetically modified organisms but no longer contain them may be placed on
the market within the Community under a "simplified" procedure, which requires merely that
a notification be made to the Commission, if they are substantially equivalent to
comparable traditional foods: proof of which can be given by a national food
assessment body.
Monsanto Europe SA and other undertakings active in the development of genetically modified
food plants for use in agriculture had obtained authorisations from France and the
United Kingdom to market certain genetically modified maize grain (Bt-11 and MON 810).
Genetically modified maize is resistant to certain insects and herbicides.
In 1997 and 1998 Monsanto and Others notified the Commission, under the "simplified
procedure", of their intention to market products derived from genetically modified maize, such
as cornflour.
The competent UK authority for food assessment had previously concluded that those foods
were substantially equivalent to conventional foods. The Commission forwarded those notifications to the
Member States.
In 2000, an Italian scientific institute noted the presence of residues of transgenic
protein (expressed by the inserted gene) in the flour in question but did
not consider that they posed any risk to human health.
The Italian Republic in the light of the differing opinions put forward by
Italian scientific bodies had concerns as regards the safety of the products. It
therefore adopted a decree on
4 August 2000 providing for the precautionary suspension of
the trade in and use of products derived from those maize lines. Monsanto
and Others subsequently challenged the Italian decree, which they considered to be in
breach of Community law.
The Administrative Court of Lazio accordingly asked the Court of Justice of the
European Communities whether novel foods which contain residues of transgenic protein at certain
levels can be considered substantially equivalent to existing foods and may consequently be
marketed under the simplified procedure.
The Court of Justice first observes that the Community regulation concerning novel foods
has a twofold objective:
to ensure the functioning of the internal market in novel foods, and
to protect public health.
The Regulation characterises as "substantially equivalent to existing foods" those foods which present
differences in composition but have no effect on public health.
Substantial equivalence is assessed by specialised bodies on the basis of the scientific
evidence available, prior to the novel food being placed on the market: it
does not require the risk assessment laid down under the normal procedure. On
the other hand, the absence of substantial equivalence does not imply that the
food is unsafe but merely that it should be subject to risk assessment.
The Court considers that in no case should the simplified procedure lead to
a relaxation of the safety requirements that must be met by novel foods.
The Court nevertheless points out that certain differences in the composition of novel
foods do not prevent their being deemed substantially equivalent: on the contrary, they
must be specifically mentioned on the labelling.
It is for the Italian national court to decide whether the novel foods
are substantially equivalent to existing foods in the light, inter alia, of the
Court's ruling on the interpretation of Community law.
The Court finds that where use of the simplified procedure is not warranted,
a Member State can as a preventive measure temporarily restrict or suspend the
marketing of those foods in its territory (under the "safeguard clause" laid down
in the Regulation) without first being required to challenge the lawfulness of the
procedure.
Demonstration of the existence of a risk to health can justify the adoption
of such a measure: in that case, the risk must not be purely
hypothetical or be founded on mere suppositions which are not yet verified; the
State must base its action on detailed grounds and not on reasons of
a general nature.
The safeguard clause reflects the precautionary principle and allows protective measures to be
taken without having to wait until the reality and seriousness of risks become
fully apparent, even if a full risk assessment proves impossible because of the
inadequate nature of the scientific data available.
In the framework of close cooperation between the Commission and the Member States,
the initial assessment of substantial equivalence by a scientific body of a Member
State is subject to verification at Community level. Similarly, the protective measure adopted
by the Member State under the safeguard clause is subject to verification at
Community level.
Available in English, French and Italian. For the full text of the judgment, please consult our internet page www.curia.eu.int at approximately midday today. For additional information please contact Christopher Fretwell Phone: (00 352) 4303 3355; Fax: (00 352) 4303 2731. Pictures of the hearing are available on "Europe by Satellite" European Commission, Press and Information Service, L-2920 Luxembourg Tel: (00 352) 4301 35177; Fax: (00 352) 4301 35249, or B-1049 Brussels, Tel: (00 32) 2 2964106, Fax: (00 32) 2 2965956, or (00 32) 2 301280 |