GM foods to undergo rigorous scientific tests before market entrance
Genetically modified (GM) products will be subject to more stringent scientific tests before they are allowed to be put on the market following a decision by the Environment Council on 17 October. The new GMO Directive replaces a previous Directive that had been in force for 10 years. The pre-market evaluation of GMOs, including their interaction with the environment, will take account of the risk assessment principles contained in the new Directive. The assessment will ensure that GMOs to be placed on the market are without risk to human health and the environment. 'The European public is aware that the application of new biotechnologies in the sectors of food, health and environment is an increasingly important reality. My top priority is to protect human health and the environment,' said EU Environment Commissioner Margot Wallström. 'It is our responsibility as policy makers to take strong political leadership to ensure that these technologies are appropriately regulated,' she added. The Commission considers that it has now fulfilled its commitment to create the conditions to re-start the authorisation procedure for GMOs. Companies must now decide what products they want to put on the market, and Member States are responsible for initiating the authorisation procedure. 'GMOs have made many European consumers feel uncertain,' said Chair of the Environment Council and Danish Minister for the Environment Hans Christian Schmidt after the meeting. 'But GMOs also hold a lot of potential, especially in regards to the future food situation in the developing countries [...]. We agree that the receiving country shall give its expressed acceptance before the producer exports for the first time a GMO product. And we agree that only GMOs that have been approved by the EU or by the receiving country may be exported. [...] Every country will be ensured the liberty to choose which GMO to opt for and which not. This is the key issue.' Some Member States still feel unable to lift the moratorium on GMOs, which has been in force for four years, until new labelling and traceability rules come into force. The issue will be discussed in the December Environment Council. If ministers are unable to find a common position in December, a conciliation procedure with the European Parliament will be necessary.
Kraje
Denmark