The controversial LLRICE62 of Bayer CropScience, which has been slammed by lobbyists in the Philippines as a "dangerous genetically modified rice variety," has passed the most stringent food safety tests conducted by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

This achievement douses cold water on the persistent attacks by antibiotechnology advocates, who have portrayed genetically modified organisms (GMOs) as toxic and as risky food products.

The Scientific Panel on Genetically Modified Organisms, which conducted the assessment of genetically modified LLRICE62 in accordance with Articles 6(6) and 18(6) of Regulation (EC) No. 1829/2003, said in its report that the genetically modified LLRICE62 is "unlikely to have any adverse effect on human and animal health or on the environment."

LLRICE62 or Liberty Link Rice No. 62 is tolerant to the herbicide glufosinate ammonium through the addition of a bacterial gene. Cropbayer is also seeking permission from the Philippines, specifically the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) of the Department of Agriculture (DA), to allow its entry here but anti-GMO groups backed by Greenpeace, an environmental watchdog lobbying against the entry of all GMOs and GMO products, have waged a crusade against its entry.

These anti-GMO advocates secured a temporary restraining order (TRO) from a Quezon City Regional Trial Court (RTC) last year, effectively preventing the government regulatory body from conducting further risk assessment on the Bayer CropScience’s application on the basis of their complaint questioning the process by which applications for the entry of GMOs are being approved under DA Administrative Order No. 8.
The petition for permanent injunction is still pending resolution before the QC RTC. According to the report, LLRICE62 is safe to humans based on the findings of the Community Reference Laboratory.

It added that the panel "considers the method validated as fit for the purpose of regulatory compliance and that the information presented for the Cartagena Protocol, the labeling proposal and the monitoring plan are in line with Regulation (ec) No. 1829/2003, thus fulfilling the requirement of Articles 6 and 18 for the placing on the market of genetically modified LLRICE62." The document, entitled "Opinion of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) in accordance with Articles 6 and 18 of Regulation (EC) No. 1829/2003 on application EFSA-GMO-UK-200404" refers to the application for the placing on the market of genetically modified LLRICE62 for food and feed uses from Bayer CropScience, was released last November 30, 2007. EFSA received from United Kingdom Competent Authority the application for authorization of LLRICE62 within the framework of its existing regulation on genetically modified food and feed. The scope covers food and feed containing, consisting of or produced from LLRICE62. The scope does not include cultivation. EFSA, in accordance with Articles 5 and 17 of Regulation (EC) No. 1829/2003, told member-states of the European Commission (EC) and made the summary of the application publicly available on the EFSA website on August 26, 2004, as required by law. It was also received by the Community Reference Laboratory of the detection method, samples and control samples in accordance with the existing EC regulation on GMO and declared the application valid on January 14, 2005, thus, complying with all the requirements. Following all requirements, Bayer’s CropScience LLRICE62 can now enter member countries for food and feed purposes.