| Author (Corporate) | BBC |
|---|---|
| Series Title | BBC News |
| Series Details | 11.02.14 |
| Publication Date | 11/02/2014 |
| Content Type | News |
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EU Ministers at the General Affairs Council, Brussels, 11 February 2014 could not reach a qualified majority either in favour or against a European Commission proposal to authorise the placing on the market for cultivation of the genetically modified maize 1507, which is resistant to certain insects (butterflies pests). The European Food Safety Authority had declared the variety safe, although some national governments and environmental groups opposed cultivation of the GM maize in Europe. In accordance with the applicable rules it would now be up to the European Commission to authorise the maize 1507. The EU Health Commissioner, Tonio Borg, said the Commission was proposing authorisation because the European Court of Justice had told the Commission in 2013 not to delay the decision any longer. Dupont-Pioneer had taken the Commission to court for 'failure to act' back in 2007. EurActiv reported that European Parliament’s Greens group threatened on the 13 February 2014 to table a motion of censure against the European Commission, because of its persistence to authorise a GM crop that was rejected by 19 member states and a parliamentary majority. On the same day, twelve EU ministers sent an open letter to Mr. Borg, pressuring the Commission to withdraw its proposal to approve the genetically modified maize 'Pioneer 1507'. EurActiv reported on the 19 February 2014 that France intended a change on the European legislation to allow national permits for GM maize. |
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| Source Link | http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26133592 |
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| Subject Categories | Business and Industry |
| Countries / Regions | Europe |
