Press Release: Council reaches agreement on the cultivation of genetically modified organisms

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Series Details PRES/14/323 (12.06.14)
Publication Date 12/06/2014
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The Environment Council reached on the 12 June 2014 a political agreement on a draft directive amending directive 2001/18/EC as regards the possibility for member states to restrict or prohibit the cultivation of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in their territory.

The aim of the proposal, that came as a response to the request addressed to the European Commission by 13 member states in June 2009, is to provide a sound legal basis in the related EU legal framework in order to allow member states to restrict or prohibit the cultivation, in all or part of their territory, of GMOs that have been authorised or are under authorisation at EU level.

The agreement struck in Luxembourg came after nearly four years of negotiation. The agreement still needs to be accepted by the European Parliament.

Greenpeace warned that the compromise text negotiated by the Greek EU Presidency was riddled with legal holes.

Source Link Link to Main Source http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/en/envir/143178.pdf
Related Links
European Commission: RAPID: MEMO/14/415: Statement by Commissioner Borg following Council's political agreement to allow the prohibition of GMO cultivation http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-14-415_en.pdf
ESO: Background information: Majority of EU countries in favour of GMO compromise http://www.europeansources.info/record/majority-of-eu-countries-in-favour-of-gmo-compromise/
EUObserver, 12.06.14: EU ministers agree rules allowing choice on GM crops http://euobserver.com/environment/124582
EurActiv, 13.06.14: France wins greater control over GMOs, but comes under fire from Greens http://www.euractiv.com/sections/agriculture-food/france-wins-greater-control-over-gmos-comes-under-fire-greens-302796
European Commission: DG Health and Consumers: Overview: Food and Feed Safety: Genetically Modified Food and Feed http://ec.europa.eu/food/food/biotechnology/index_en.htm
EFSA: Topic: Genetically Modified Organisms http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/topics/topic/gmo.htm
European Commission: DG Health and Consumers: Food: Plant: GMOs: Reports & studies http://ec.europa.eu/food/plant/gmo/reports_studies/index_en.htm
European Commission: DG Health and Consumers: Food: Plant: GMOs: EU Register of authorised GMOs http://ec.europa.eu/food/dyna/gm_register/index_en.cfm
European Commission: DG Health and Consumers: Food: Plant: GMOs http://ec.europa.eu/food/plant/gmo/index_en.htm
Agri.EU: News, 12.06.14: Eco-Bio: Member states agree on right to ban GMO cultivation at national level http://agri.eu/member-states-agree-on-right-to-ban-gmo-cultivation-at-national-level-news5849.html
Euronews, 12.06.14: EU ministers reach GMO crop deal http://www.euronews.com/2014/06/12/eu-ministers-reach-gmo-crop-deal/
Greenpeace: EU Unit, 12.06.14: Member states agree on right to ban GMO cultivation at national level http://www.greenpeace.org/eu-unit/en/News/2014/Member-states-agree-on-right-to-ban-GMO-cultivation-at-national-level/
Govtoday: Science and Technology: Industrial Strategy, 17.06.14: Fresh EU deal paves way for GM crops in England http://go-science.co.uk/industrial-strategy-news/18339-fresh-eu-deal-paves-way-for-gm-crops-in-england

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