From:
BILLAUX Cecile (CAB-MALMSTROM)
Ref. Ares(2016)6289636 - 07/11/2016
Sent:
26 September 2016 17:41
To:
ASENIUS Maria (CAB-MALMSTROM); CEBALLOS BARON Miguel (CAB-MALMSTROM); EICHHORN
Nele (CAB-MALMSTROM); BURGSMUELLER Christian (CAB-MALMSTROM); NYMAN Jon (CAB-
MALMSTROM); MUNGENGOVA Jolana (CAB-MALMSTROM); NORRGARD Catrine (CAB-
MALMSTROM); LARSSON Joakim (CAB-MALMSTROM)
Cc:
(CAB-MALMSTROM)
[ Art. 4.1(b) ]
Subject:
Report - CBi meeting with Monsanto, 21.09.2016
For registration please
On 21 September, I met at their request with two representatives of Monsanto: Phil Miller, Monsanto’s Global Lead on
Government and Regulatory Affairs and Jonathan Ramsey, Head of governmental and Industry relations for Monsanto Europe
based in Brussels. They had initially requested a meeting with the Commissioner. They met with the lead cabinet on biotech
issues too (Andriukaitis).
Monsanto representatives shared their conce5rnmes as regards delays in approval of GM applications as well as the recent
decision to renew temporarily the approval Glyphosate for a 18 months period. They stressed the economic losses of their
company due to delays in approval and unpredictability faced by farmers for planting seeds. This situation causes damage to
farmers and costs are high for Monsanto as they had to compensate them.
I explained that the debate in the EU around GMOs and pesticides is intense with public opinion becoming increasingly
sensitive to possible safety concerns. I highlighted that we were aware of potential costs for industry and farmers while
stressing the importance of a science-based informed and transparent debate. These issues are high on the political agenda of
the new college as witnessed by the successive college debates on glyphosate before the summer.
Cecile Billaux
Member of cabinet
Commissioner for trade, Cecilia Malmström
European Commission
BERL 11/294
B-1049 Brussels/Belgium
Tel: +32 2 295 73 06 / Mob: [ Art. 4.1(b) ]
xxxxxx.xxxxxxx@xx.xxxxxx.xx
http://ec.europa.eu/commission/2014-2019/malmstrom_en
Report - CBi meeting with Monsanto 21.09.2016.htm[04/11/2016 16:02:43]
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