Brussels, Belgium
June 22nd, 1999
EuropaBio, the European Association for
Bioindustries, appreciates the European Council of Environment Ministers' decision not to
introduce a moratorium on Genetically Modified Organisms. However, it deplores the
statement made by some member states that they will not approve new Genetically Modified
Organisms (GMOs) until the Revision of Directive 90/220 has been adopted.
"We firmly believe that for the European public to gain confidence in these
innovative and beneficial products, the European regulatory process needs clear and
consistent pathways to be followed for approval of GMOs", said Anthony Arke,
EuropaBio's Secretary General, in a reaction on the political agreement reached by the EU
Council of Environment Ministers. He added: "Although the European Council of
Environment Ministers has reached a political agreement for a
common position on the approval of GMOs, the Council has not made the necessary steps
towards the creation of a really transparent regulatory process".
EuropaBio therefore calls for the creation of a European centralised system for the
approval of biotechnology products, similar to the European authority which gives
approvals for pharmaceutical products, and which European consumers can refer to. The
creation of such a system was overwhelmingly approved by the previous European Parliament
during last February's plenary session on the Proposed Review of the 90/220 Directive on
the deliberate release of Genetically Modified Organisms into the environment.
As to the GM products which have been placed on the market so far, the Association is
confident that they are safe for human and animal health and for the environment, as they
have been subjected to rigorous risk assessments and science-based safety reviews by
independent regulatory authorities around the world.
EuropaBio represents 47 corporate members operating worldwide and 12 national associations
(totalling around 700 SMEs) involved in research and development, testing, manufacturing
and distribution of biotechnology products. EuropaBio, the voice of European
bioindustries, aims to be a promoting force for biotechnology and to present its proposals
to industry, politicians, regulators and the public at large.EuropaBio news release
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