EU Excludes Genetically Modified U.S. Rice

The European Union on Wednesday took urgent steps to keep out genetically contaminated long-grain rice from the United States, ordering special certifications for U.S. rice exports.

Under the new rules, which are expected to be in place for at least six months, the U.S. will have to specifically certify that shipments of rice are free from the unauthorized LL Rice 601 genetically modified organism strain. Controls will also be carried out at EU ports.

Last week, the U.S. government announced that long-grain rice samples had tested positive for trace amounts of a genetically modified strain not approved for consumption. Japan suspended imports of U.S. long-grain rice following the positive test.

The 25-nation EU said it had insufficient information to assess the extent of the contamination but needed to take preventive measures.

“We have strict legislation in place in the EU to ensure that any [genetically modified] product put on the European market has undergone a thorough authorization procedure based on scientific assessment,” Health and Consumer Protection Commissioner Markos Kyprianou said.

“There is no flexibility for unauthorized [genetically modified organisms] -- these cannot enter the EU food and feed chain under any circumstances,” he said.

The contamination with the strain of genetically engineered rice was detected by Bayer CropScience. The German company then notified U.S. officials. The strain is not approved for sale in the U.S. but two other strains of rice with the same genetically engineered protein are.

Europe has been far more reluctant than the U.S. to accept genetically modified foodstuffs. The environmental group Friends of the Earth Europe called for an immediate import ban and more information on how widespread the contamination had been.

The EU buys about $90 million worth of U.S. rice each year.