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UN panel sets GM food safety norms

BS Agriculture Editor

The United Nations apex bodies on agriculture and health have succeeded in evolving an agreement on the principles for assessing the safety of genetically modified foods.

The 165-member "Codex Alimentarius Commission" - subsidiary of the World Health Organisation and the Food and Agriculture Organisation - has agreed in principle that the safety of food derived from genetically modified organisms should be tested and approved by governments prior to entering the market.

The standards of food quality and safety laid down by Codex are accepted internationally. These are meant to ensure fair trade practices in food and other edible products. They are recognised by the World Trade Organisation as reference points in international trade disputes.

"This is the first global step towards the safety assessment of genetically modified foods", the statement said. International agreement on how to perform risk assessment of genetically modified foods will help all countries, especially developing countries, it added.

The Codex commission has also approved a series of new maximum levels of environmental contaminants, particularly lead, cadmium and aflatoxins, found in foods like fruit juices, cereals and milk.

Besides, the Codex have laid down guidelines for organic livestock production as well. According to these guidelines, organic livestock farming should aim at using natural breeding methods, minimise stress in animals, prevent disease and progressively eliminate the use of certain chemical veterinary drugs, including antibiotics.

Animals should mainly be fed with high quality organic feed, not meat and bone meal, although fish and milk products are acceptable. The use of growth hormones is not permitted.

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