MEPs raise concerns over GMO rules and regulation
MEPs highlighted concerns about scientific input, trade rules, consumer choice and biodiversity when debating two reports on GMOs (genetically modified organisms) on 2 July. The debates concerned a report by Antonios Trakatellis on a European Parliament and Council regulation on traceability and labelling of GMOs and of food and feed products derived from GMOs and a report by Karin Scheele on the proposal for a European Parliament and Council regulation on genetically modified food and feed. Mr Trakatellis said that more scientific evidence was needed than was contained in the Commission's proposal - he would like to see clear scientific analysis of products derived from GMOs. He also highlighted that no international protocol exists which could force countries outside of the EU to identify if and how GMOs were used in production processes. This could lead, according to Mr Trakatellis, to fraud and distortion of the market. He felt that the Commission's proposal would need amendments before it could be passed by Parliament. Ms Scheele was more supportive of the Commission's second proposal, saying that she supported the reduction of the threshold for GMOs in food and feed from 1 per cent to 0.5 per cent. She said that one of the most important elements was consumer choice when purchasing GMO food. MEPs went on to debate whether it is better to have 'GM free' labelling or 'This product contains GM ingredients'. Danish MEP Torben Lund claimed that GM free labelling would be insufficient, but Dirk Sterckx from Belgium disagreed. Jonas Sjöstedt from Sweden was concerned that the GMO developments were being carried out by a very limited number of international organisations, who may not necessarily have the best interests of the consumer at heart. Mauro Nobilia from Italy on the other hand pointed out that clear rules were needed in the EU so as not to infringe WTO (World trade organisation) procedures. He also suggested keeping records on the transfer of GMOs in the food chain for at least 10 years. Chris Davies from the UK felt that the slow introduction of GMO products was not a problem as long as consumers wanted them.