Parliament rejects national GMO bans proposal

The European Parliament rejected in plenary on 28 October 2015 a draft law that would enable any member state to restrict or prohibit the sale and use of EU-approved GMO food or feed on its territory.

Members of the chamber were concerned that the law might prove unworkable or that it could lead to the reintroduction of border checks between pro- and anti-GMO countries. They called on the European Commission to table a new proposal.

2017: Media sources reported in January 2017 that the European Commission was not planning a new legislative initiative, nor was the Maltese EU Presidency planning to focus on the existing legislative proposal during the period up to June 2017. The Council of the European Union had not yet reached a Common Position on the proposal

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Agriculture committee opposes national bans on Imports of GM food and feed http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-agriculture-committee-opposes-national-bans-on-imports-of-gm-food-and-feed/

EurActiv, 29.10.15: EU lawmakers reject national bans on GM food, feed imports http://www.euractiv.com/sections/agriculture-food/eu-lawmakers-reject-national-bans-gm-food-feed-imports-318985

EUObserver, 28.10.15: MEPs reject Commission plan on GMO opt-outs https://euobserver.com/environment/130869

EUObserver, 11.02.16: EU in 'no rush' to finalise GM food opt-outs https://euobserver.com/environment/132232

EurActiv, 13.10.16: GMO experts: ‘It’s an emotional debate, but not an irrational one’ http://www.euractiv.com/section/agriculture-food/news/gmo-experts-its-an-emotional-debate-but-not-an-irrational-one/

EUObserver, 06.12.16: Commission tries to revive GMO opt-out proposal https://euobserver.com/environment/136169

EUObserver, 20.01.17: GMO opt-out plan remains in waiting room https://euobserver.com/environment/136616

European Commission: DG SANTE: Food Safety: Plants: Genetically Modified Organisms http://ec.europa.eu/food/plant/gmo_en

EPRS: Briefing: EU Legislation in Progress, October 2015: Imports of GM food and feed Right of Member States to opt out http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/BRIE/2015/569030/EPRS_BRI(2015)569030_EN.pdf

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