GMOs drop from agenda

Date: 20/11/1997

By Simon Coss

THE European Commission this week postponed a decision on plans updating the rules for approving genetically-modified products amid signs that the institution is still deeply divided over the issue.

Environment Commissioner Ritt Bjerregaard was set to unveil her proposals for updating the '90/220' directive, which deals with the deliberate release of genetically-modified organisms (GMOs) into the environment, at this week's meeting of the full Commission. But the item was dropped from the agenda at the last minute.

Some Commission insiders insisted simple time restrictions forced the change of plan. But others suggested ongoing disagreements between Bjerregaard and Trade Commissioner Sir Leon Brittan were behind the delay.

The disagreement between Brittan and Bjerregaard centres on how the updated directive will affect firms which produce GMO products.

Brittan is keen to ensure the EU gives a clear signal that it is supporting the biotechnology industry and has in the past argued for a 'fast-track' system for approving so-called 'uncontroversial' items. But Bjerregaard stresses the need to reassure consumers about the safety of GMOs and is calling for the same stringent procedures to apply to all products.

The Brittan camp this week claimed the differences between the two were not as pronounced as some have suggested and that agreement on the rules should be reached soon.

Bjerregaard's spokesman Peter Jorgensen said the biggest problem facing the industry was the fact that the new proposals had still not been adopted.