Monday, October 22, 2001

EU MEMBER STATES UPHOLD GMO BAN

by farmgate reporters (October 22, 2001)

The European Commission has failed in its efforts to convince
member states to use planned new legislation on GM labelling as a
justification to end a moratorium on GM crop approvals.

The Commission had hoped the promise of new legislation would
persuade member states to lift national bans. Despite these being
illegal under European law Brussels has turned a blind eye to
them, in the hope of securing a negotiated settlement.

However a core of five member states - France, Austria, Denmark,
Greece and Luxembourg - have made clear that they are so
opposed to GMOs that they will not even discuss ending national
bans until the new legislation is firmly in place.

This will not happen before 2003, and leaves the Commission
exposed to the risk of legal action through the WTO.

This is an issue for environment rather than agriculture ministers,
and the Commission will now raise the issue at the October
environment council.

It will warn ministers they are ducking a difficult political issue,
and exposing the EU to legal action and trade embargoes.

© farmgate.co.uk ltd 2001