Press Release: Genetically Modified Organisms: Member States to be given full responsibility on cultivation in their territories

The European Commission on 13 July 2010 proposed to confer to Member States the freedom to allow, restrict or ban the cultivation of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) on part or all of their territory.

While keeping unchanged the EU's science-based GM authorisation system, the adopted package consists of a Communication, a new Recommendation on co-existence of GM crops with conventional and/or organic crops and a draft Regulation proposing a change to the GMO legislation.

The new Recommendation on co-existence allows more flexibility to Member States taking into account their local, regional and national conditions when adopting co-existence measures. The proposed regulation amends Directive 2001/18/EC to allow Member States to restrict or prohibit the cultivation of GMOs in their territory.

• Primary Source

European Commission: Memo/10/325: Questions and Answers on the EU's new approach to the cultivation of GMOs http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/10/325&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

PressEurop, 14.7.10: GM, the field is open http://www.presseurop.eu/en/content/article/294531-gm-field-open

BBC News, 13.7.10: EU to let states rule on GM crops http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10614957

EurActiv, 14.7.10: EU GMO proposals draw widespread criticism http://www.euractiv.com/en/cap/EU-GMO-proposals-draw-widespread-criticism-news-496263

ESO: Background information: EU to overhaul GM crop approval system http://www.europeansources.info/record/eu-to-overhaul-gm-crop-approval-system/

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