Commission takes legal steps against Member States over GMO legislation
The European Commission has referred 11 Member States to the European Court of Justice for failing to transpose EU legislation on the deliberate release of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) into the environment into national law. The governments of France, Luxembourg, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Ireland, Greece, Spain, Austria and Finland were sent two written warnings after the deadline for implementing the legislation passed on 17 October 2002. On 15 July, Environment Commissioner Margot Wallström said: 'The new framework directive on GMOs, which entered into force in October last year, provides the European Union with one of the most advanced and comprehensive pieces of legislation existing in this field at world level. [...] It is therefore high time that all Member States bring their national laws into line with the EU law.' The directive was introduced with the aim of strengthening rules on the release of GMOs into the environment and creating a more effective and efficient authorisation procedure. Specific measures include compulsory post marketing monitoring of possible long term effects on the environment, mandatory public information activities, consultation of the scientific committee, and a maximum initial approval period for GMOs of ten years.
Kraje
Austria, Belgium, Germany, Greece, Spain, Finland, France, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands