Environment Council welcomes Commission proposals for GMO labelling
The environment ministers of the 15 EU Member States broadly welcomed Commission proposals for the labelling and traceability of GMOs (genetically modified organisms) at Environment Council meeting in Luxembourg on 29 October. Environment Commissioner Margot Wallström welcomed the Council's wide support for the Commission's proposals for GMO labelling and traceability regulations, a spokesperson said, adding that many Member States recognised their importance as a first step towards the resumption of genetically modified crop and food approvals. The spokesperson added that while Ms Wallström is happy with the clear support for the Commission's traceability and labelling proposals, she was disappointed that many Member States are still refusing to reach a clear position on the issue of GMO authorisation. The spokesperson said that this hesitation, which Ms Wallström feels is 'not helping anyone,' is not confined to the original group of Member States opposed to a lifting of the de facto moratorium on GMO approvals - France, Denmark, Italy, Greece, Luxembourg and Austria. The Netherlands and Spain were singled out as particularly 'ready to find practical solutions.' There was also some discussion of the issue of GMO codes for traceability and labelling, with some delegates expressing the view that international GMO codes would be a positive step in establishing worldwide GM labelling transparency and standards. It was also recognised, however, that the establishment of such a system will not happen overnight and that Europe should press ahead with its own system of GMO codes to avoid delay on the issue. Ms Wallström will present the opinions which emerged during the Council discussions to the Commission for consideration. The European Commission has also welcomed common positions reached by the Environment Council on integrated coastal zone management, the control of emissions from non-road mobile machinery and funding of environmental NGOs (non-governmental organisations). The Council agreed on a proposal to provide continuous finding for environmental NGOs over the next five years (2002-2006), and gave its support to a recommendation on 'integrated coastal zone management' (ICZM) which calls on EU Member States to develop national strategies for the promotion of sustainable development in coastal zones through measures such as ecosystem protection and sustainable management of resources. The Council also passed a political agreement on the adoption of new emissions limits for non-road mobile machinery, such as lawn mowers and chain saws, which will help to cut down pollution, particularly ground level ozone, from small machinery. The European Commission proposed new rules on the labelling and traceability of GMOs on 25 July this year. The new rules complete the Directive on the deliberate release into the environment of GMOs, due to be implemented at the end of 2002.