EU rules on GM coexistence 'not justified at present'
The European Commission has concluded that EU rules governing the coexistence of genetically modified (GM) crops with conventional and organic varieties are not justified at present, and should continue to be set nationally, according to a new report published on 10 March. Coexistence measures aim to protect farmers of non-GM crops from the economic consequences of accidental contamination by GM material. However, given the still limited experience in the EU of growing GM crops and the fact that many countries are currently introducing national measures, the Commission believes that EU rules would be premature at this point. 'The development of efficient and cost-effective strategies to ensure co-existence is vital to ensure a practical choice between GM and non-GM produce for farmers and consumers,' said Agriculture and Rural Affairs Commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel. However, she added: 'Growing conditions are very varied from country to country and experience with GM crops is still limited in Europe. It therefore does not seem appropriate to propose unified EU rules at this time.' According to a staff working document that accompanies the report, most countries are still in the process of developing national measures, with specific legislation having been adopted in only four countries to date (Germany, Denmark, Portugal and six out of nine Austrian Länder). A 2003 Commission Recommendation provided Member States with guidelines for developing national coexistence measures, warning that they should not go beyond ensuring that accidental traces of GM material in non-GM products remain below EU labelling thresholds. 'Measures should be science-based and proportionate and must not generally forbid the growing of GM crops,' it adds. The Commission will postpone a final decision on whether or not to propose EU coexistence rules until after a Vienna conference on the issue on 5 and 6 April, at which stakeholders can have their say. However, assuming that EU measures are still deemed premature, the Commission will revisit the issue in 2008 and report on the progress made at national level.