National governments will have more freedom to choose whether or not to allow genetically modified (GM) crops to be grown in their territory, under proposals published by the European Commission today (13 July).

The proposals could make it easier to approve more GM varieties in the future, ending years of deadlock that have prevented the EU from authorising new GM crops for cultivation. Since 1998, only two crops – a type of maize and a potato – have been approved to be grown in the EU.

John Dalli, the European commissioner for health and consumer policy, said that the proposals combined “more freedom for member states” with “a strict science-based approach”. The proposals would give more certainty to national governments and farmers, he said.

However, he also said there would be no speeding up of the authorisation process.

One immediate change is that governments will be allowed to take tougher measures to prevent GM crops from getting mixed up with conventional crops. Under existing rules, products can be labelled as GM-free if they contain no more than 0.9% of genetically modified ingredients. New rules will allow governments to restrict GM cultivation in larger parts of a country or region to stop GM seeds straying into conventional or organic farms.

The proposals presage a bigger shake-up of the EU system for authorising GM crops. Governments could be allowed to ban GM cultivation citing ethical concerns, although not for health and environmental reasons. Dalli said that ethical concerns could be “many and varied” such as “a massive aversion” among the population to growing a particular crop.

Dalli denied that his plan amounted to re-nationalisation of GM policy. “There has never been an agreement in the Council and this shows the sensitivity of GMOs…and why such an approach is needed.”

Commission officials also said the system was compatible with world trade rules – often a problem for EU GM policy.

Fact File

TIMELINE

2001 European Union agrees common rules on the cultivation of genetically-modified (GM) crops.

2003 EU agrees rules on GM food and feed, including requirements for GM produce and feed to be labelled and setting thresholds for unavoidable (“adventitious”) presence of GM ingredients or feed.

2006 World Trade Organization finds that EU operates a “de-facto ban” that is contrary to trade rules.

2008 Environment ministers call for more active role for member states in GM assessment process and more consideration of national and regional characteristics.

2009 European Commission President José Manuel Barroso highlights reform of GM approval system in his bid for re-nomination as Commission president.

March 2010 Commission announces that Amflora, a genetically-modified potato developed by BASF, can be grown in the EU for industrial use – the first GM variety approved since a Monsanto GM maize was approved in 1998.

July 2010 John Dalli, the European commissioner for health and consumer policy, outlines draft proposals to re-draw EU authorisation rules.

Six member states – Austria, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary and Luxembourg – have GM bans in force, by virtue of “safeguard” clause in existing rules.

Member states and the European Parliament will have to agree to the new system. Ministers are due to discuss the proposals in the autumn.

In a joint statement, Friends of the Earth and Greenpeace called on national governments to reject the Commission’s proposals. Mute Schimpf of Friends of the Earth said: “While the European Commission is seemingly offering countries the right to implement national bans, in reality the proposal aims to do the opposite, opening Europe’s fields to GM crops. The Commission continues to fail to protect Europe’s food and feed from contamination by GM crops.”

The biotechnology industry said it was disappointed at the proposal. Carel du Marchie Sarvaas at EuropaBio, the pan-European biotechnology industry group, said: “These proposals appear to give carte blanche to ban safe and approved GM crops in any country or region regardless of the needs or wishes of their farmers…[they] will inject further legal uncertainty for those farmers that do wish to grow these crops.”

Click Here: kanken kids cheap