European Union
October 27, 2008
Source:
GMO Compass
EU Member States continue to have
different ideas about possible changes in the authorisation
process for genetically modified plants in Europe. At their
session in Luxemburg last week, the EU environment ministers
were unable to come to an agreement on joint proposals.
France, which holds the Presidency
of the EU Council to the end of 2008, set up a working group
this summer to work on proposals for changes to the current
authorisation process for GMOs. A decision is to be made in
December at the Council’s session, but political discussions
within the Council of environment ministers shows once again
that the Member States are far from reaching a compromise.
Some Member
States want to allow for the possibility of prohibiting the
planting of GM crops in certain ecologically sensitive or
protected areas. Others want that such restrictions be applied
only if there is a scientifically-based protective measure.
Even
France’s proposal that GMO authorisation be decided not only on
scientific safety evaluations, but also on socio-economic
factors, did not get wide-spread approval. While it is
considered important when authorising GMOs to assess possible
consequences to agricultural systems already in place, there are
currently no clear, practical definitions within the framework
of the authorisation process. Some Member States stressed that
such socio-economic factors not be allowed to override
scientific safety evaluations. It also has to be kept in mind
that the authorisation process should not violate World Trade
Organization (WTO) contracts, which the EU is obliged to uphold.
According
to the French Presidency, the Member States unanimously agree to
improve the process for assessing long-term effects of GM crops
on the environment. Some countries are calling for the revision
of safety evaluation guidelines used by the European Food Safety
Authority (EFSA).
Changes to
the GM plant authorisation process are supposed to be finally
decided at the Council’s session in December.
See also on
GMO Compass:
|
