EU Parliament OKs GMO rules

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http://www.biomedcentral.com/news/20030702/03

 

EU Parliament OKs GMO rules

 

July 2, 2003

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EU Parliament OKs GMO rulesMove may be a step toward resolving US–EU trade

dispute, but true resolution is some way off | By Andrew Scott

 

 

The European Parliament today voted to accept proposals on genetically modified

organisms (GMOs) that establish clear traceability and labeling procedures that

will modify existing European regulations.

 

The proposals are being presented by the European Commission as the latest step

in building a clear regulatory system to allow new approvals for the import and

production of GM crops and foods. They would impose strict labeling and

traceability requirements. All foods containing more that 0.9% GM ingredients

would have to declare the use of GM materials on the label. To ensure the

traceability of GM materials, business operators using or handling GM products

will be required to transmit and retain information at each stage between

production and placing of products on the market. So systems will need to be

devised to identify to whom and from whom GM products are made available.

 

The European Commission says the proposals " will ensure full traceability of

GMOs throughout the chain from farm to table and will provide consumers with

comprehensive information by labeling all food and feed consisting of,

containing or produced from a GMO. " Such requirements have in the past been

criticized as unnecessary and likely to deter consumers from buying foods

containing GM ingredients and hence deter producers from manufacturing them.

 

There has been a de facto moratorium on new GMO approvals in Europe since

mid-1998. This issue is at the center of a trade dispute between the European

Union and the United States and some other countries, who have taken their

complaint to the World Trade Organization for resolution.

 

" Today's vote is a very important step forward towards full implementation of

the EU legislation on GMOs, " said European Environment Commissioner Margot

Wallström in a statement. " It will reinforce our international credibility and

will certainly help in building public confidence in new technologies. "

 

The proposals must now be confirmed by the European Council, and the de facto

moratorium will only be lifted for certain when specific new GM approvals are

given the go ahead. The moratorium arose when certain member countries of the

European Union vetoed such approvals, as they are entitled to do under EU rules.

It remains to be seen whether the safeguards and rules voted for today will be

sufficient for these countries to withdraw their objections and let new

approvals proceed.

Links for this article

European Parliament

http://www.europarl.eu.int/home/default_en.htm

 

" Wallström and Byrne welcome EP acceptance of a trustworthy and safe approach to

GMOs and GM food and feed, " European Commission press release, July 2, 2003.

http://europa.eu.int/rapid/start/cgi/guesten.ksh?p_action.gettx

t=gt & doc=IP/03/935|0|RAPID & lg=EN & display

 

" Questions and answers on the regulation of GMOs in the EU, " European Commission

press release, March 4, 2003.

http://europa.eu.int/rapid/start/cgi/guesten.ksh?p_action.gettx

t=gt & doc=MEMO/02/160|0|AGED & lg=EN & display+

 

A. Scott, " Trade dispute over GMOs reignites, " The Scientist, June 26, 2003.

http://www.biomedcentral.com/news/20030626/04/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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