Genetically modified micro-organisms: Commission moves against ten Member States
The European Commission will send a second warning letter to ten member States chastising them for failing to implement legislation for the Directive on laboratory use of genetically modified micro-organisms. The 'reasoned opinion', which gives two months within which to adopt measures to meet their obligations under the Directive, is being sent to France, Luxembourg, Belgium, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Greece, Spain and Austria. It is now more than six months after the deadline for implementing Directive 98/81/EC on the contained use of genetically modified micro-organisms, adapting previous legislation to recent developments in understanding of the technology. 'Its aim is to bring the legislation into line with current international practice and its core aim is to better link the administrative procedures and notification requirements to the real risk of the activities concerned,' says the Commission. The Directive also expands guidance on containment and control measures to be applied to protect human health and the environment and introduces more flexibility to allow for easier adaptation to technical progress in the future, according to the Commission. 'I am disappointed that so many Member states have still not implemented this high profile Directive more than six moths after the deadline,' commented Environment Commissioner Margot Wallström.
Countries
Greece