Emergency measures on Chinese rice products

A European Commission committee yesterday decided to put special requirements on imports of rice products from China to make sure the products do not contain an unauthorised genetically
modified (GM) rice.

The decision was taken in Brussels at the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health because of an unauthorised genetically modified rice found in rice products manufactured in
China.

The measures will apply from 15 April and require consignments of rice products from China to be accompanied by an analytical report to demonstrate that the product does not contain ‘Bt63’.
European Union (EU) Member States will also be required to take appropriate measures, including random sampling and analysis, for products already on the market.

This decision will apply from 15 April to allow Member States to take the practical arrangements for its implementation. The Food Standards Agency will be providing advice to enforcement
authorities, industry and consumers shortly. The Agency is not aware of any health implications for consumers who eat rice products containing ‘Bt63’.

Background
Traces of the GM rice, referred to as ‘Bt63’ were first found in rice products imported from China that were on sale in Member States in September 2006, and the Commission has been working
closely with the Chinese authorities to ensure that products exported from China complied with European Community requirements.

Bt63 is not authorised for sale on the Chinese market. The resulting measures taken by the Chinese authorities appeared to be effective initially but further contaminated products were
identified in Germany and some other Member States in 2007.

As the Chinese authorities have been unable to implement measures to ensure the absence of ‘Bt63’ in products exported to the EU, the Commission has brought forward measures to control their
import so that effective and consistent action is taken across Member States.