| Author (Person) | Davies, Eric |
|---|---|
| Publisher | ProQuest Information and Learning |
| Series Title | In Focus |
| Series Details | 4.7.02 |
| Publication Date | 04/07/2002 |
| Content Type | News, Overview, Topic Guide | In Focus |
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Proposals for new rules on Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) were adopted by the European Parliament on 3 July. The vote came at the end of Parliament's first reading of two Commission proposals: one to establish a system of tracing and labelling GMOs, the other concerning the placing on the market and labelling of GM food and GM feed products. The proposals are a response to public concern over GM technology, which has seen research virtually halted, an effective moratorium on the commercial growing of GM crops in the EU, and many supermarkets refusing to stock GM products. According to Environment Commissioner Margot Wallström: 'There is widespread public concern about GMOs and part of our duty as legislators is to address those concerns: by ensuring the protection of the environment and of the EU's biodiversity, the health and safety of consumers, and also their right to make an informed choice'. If they become law, the new Regulations will require GMOs to be traced 'from farm to table' and will provide consumers with information on GMO food and feed. Parliament's approval of the draft Regulations was subject to numerous amendments. The Commission has indicated that, while it is willing to accept 65 amendments, it objects to another 107. The proposals now have to go the Council, which is expected to adopt a Common Position in the autumn. Amongst the more contentious amendments, MEPs voted that labelling should not be required for foods or feeds contaminated by up to 0.5 per cent GMOs; the Commission had proposed 1 per cent and industry would prefer 5%. Parliament did, however, reject an amendment requiring the labelling of meat, milk and eggs obtained from animals fed on GM feed, which the Commission argued would be unworkable. The European Commissioner responsible for food safety issues, David Byrne, said: 'I want all GM food and feed labelled and I am pleased to see the Parliament supporting my approach. Moreover, the comprehensive labelling will allow consumers to decide if they want to buy food produced from GMOs. The two proposals together strike a good and balanced compromise between differing views. I firmly believe that they also provide the right approach to foster public confidence and social acceptance of the application of biotechnology in agri-food production. They will also give legal certainty for business operators as well as facilitating trade' Reporting on fears about accidental contamination by GMOs, the BBC stated that recent research 'showed clearly that GM pollen can contaminate fields up to three kilometres (1.85 miles) away' - although it also pointed out that pollen varies from plant to plant. The BBC called the vote 'a major success for European consumers and a serious defeat for the biotech industry which has lobbied hard to water down these proposals', a view echoed by Friends of the Earth, which said the vote 'paved the way for new legislation giving consumers and farmers the ability to avoid GM foods if they chose to do so.' GeneWatch UK commented: 'This is a real victory for the 70.9 per cent of EU consumers who have said they do not want to eat GM food and the 94 per cent that want the right to choose about these foods.' The biotechnology industry, however, was reported to be concerned that its work could be set back by decades. The new rules should establish the same requirements for producers inside and outside the EU which, given the value of GM exports to the United States economy, might well lead to another trade dispute between the EU and US. Links: European Commission
European Parliament BBC News Online GeneWatch European Sources Online: In Focus
Eric Davies Proposals for new rules on Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) were adopted by the European Parliament on 3 July 2002. |
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| Subject Categories | Business and Industry |
