Thursday January 14, 9:57 pm Eastern Time
Monsanto questions Canada ruling on growth hormone
CHICAGO, Jan 14 (Reuters) - Life sciences firm Monsanto Co. (NYSE:MTC - news) said Thursday it was surprised and disappointed that Canada's health department did not approve its controversial bovine growth hormone, which boosts milk production in cows.
''Monsanto scientists have serious concerns with the accuracy and completeness of the (Canadian Veterinary Medical Association) panel's analysis,'' Monsanto said in an Ottawa, Ont., news release received in Chicago.
''After holding the product in the review system for nine years, Health Canada gave Monsanto less than 72 hours to view a 400-page report on animal safety submitted by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association Expert Panel,'' St. Louis-based Monsanto said.
In rejecting the hormone, Health Canada's veterinary experts cited an increased risk of mastitis, infertility and lameness in cows treated with the genetically engineered hormone.
''The findings of the animal safety committee, when combined with our own assessment, made it quite clear that Health Canada had to reject the request for approval to use (the growth hormone) rbST in Canada, as it presents a sufficient and unacceptable threat to the safety of dairy cows,'' Joel Weiner, a director general of the department's Health Protection Branch, said in a statement.
Monsanto said Canada's ruling runs contrary to decisions made by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the European Union's Committee on Veterinary Medicinal Products and the World Health Organization's Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives.
Monsanto said Health Canada made its decision without allowing the company a chance to respond to the animal health issues raised.
"The prospect of a final decision being made without any opportunity for a response from Monsanto on the specifics of the science is contrary to normal regulatory approval processes and a basic affront to widely practiced decision-making and fairness, Ray Mowling, Monsanto's vice president, Canada, said in the statement.
Shares of Monsanto closed down 1-15/16 at 42-1/4. |
