Belgium announces opposition to unconditional lifting of GMO moratorium
The Belgian government gave its first clear indication on 4 December that it opposes lifting the de facto moratorium on approvals of GM (genetically modified) products until clear regulations are in place, but that research has a key role to play. Belgian environment Minister Magda Aelvoet said that publicly-funded biotechnology research which can provide 'social value added' should be bolstered. She stressed that biotechnology does have potential, but that the benefits it could bring would only be possible with a clear regulatory framework and stringent checks on biotechnological developments. A de facto moratorium on new authorisations of GM produce has existed in the European Union since 1998. The moratorium is actively supported by France, Denmark, Greece, Luxembourg and Austria, who together have enough votes to block any requests for fresh authorisations. Ms Aelvoet's statement means that Belgium will not support the lifting of the moratorium until clear regulations regarding traceability and labelling are in place. Belgium outlined two conditions which it says must be met before any move can be made to lift the moratorium: the transposition of Directive 2001/18/EC, which governs the deliberate release of GMOs into the environment, into Belgian national legislation and the formal approval of new regulations on 'farm to fork' traceability and labelling for GM food and feed. Ms Aelvoet said that the Belgian decision showed that the country 'is focusing its concerns on the environment and consumers' and that Directive 2001/18 and the traceability and labelling regulations will improve consumer choice and enable more detailed risk assessment. She added: 'It is only logical to first provide a good, coherent legislative framework and then take other measures. So we are very happy that Belgium is sending out such a clear signal to the Commission.' In recent months, the Commission has suggested lifting the moratorium. The USA, whose firms are suffering a reduction in exports to the EU as a result of the moratorium, has threatened the imposition of sanctions in response to the ban, via the World Trade Organisation (WTO). The Belgian government is due to discuss the issue in October next year.
Countries
Belgium