Press Release: GMOs: Commission reaction on Council votes on safeguards and GM maize MON863

The Environment Council voted on 24 June 2005 on a package of proposals from the Commission concerning genetically modified organisms (GMOs). The proposals require the lifting of bans or restrictions (so-called national safeguard clauses) imposed by Austria, France, Germany, Greece and Luxembourg on 8 authorised GM products. The Council voted against all 8 Commission proposals. This is the first time that Council found a qualified majority against a Commission proposal on GMOs. It is thus a new situation in terms of subsequent action. The Commission will have to carefully consider the legal and scientific bases that underpin any further proposals, as well as the implications for EU internal market and trading partners. In a separate proposal involving the authorisation of placing MON863 maize on the European market for import, processing and feed use, the Council did not find the required qualified majority for or against. This case will now go back to the Commission for a final decision.

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