Press Release: Deal reached on new rules allowing flexibility for EU countries to ban GMO crops

The European Parliament (EP) and the Council of the European Union reached an agreement on 3 December 2014 on legislation allowing EU member states to restrict, or ban, the cultivation of crops containing genetically modified organisms (GMOs) on their own territory, even if it is allowed at EU level.

The informal agreement would be discussed in the member states’ Permanent Representatives Committee (COREPER) on 10 December 2014 and still needed to be backed by EP’s Environment Committee and plenary, as well as member states. The legislation was expected to be voted in plenary in January 2015.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Environment Committee backs flexibility for EU countries to ban GMO crops http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-environment-committee-backs-flexibility-for-eu-countries-to-ban-gmo-crops/

ESO: Background information: Towards new rules on GMO crops within the EU http://www.europeansources.info/record/towards-new-rules-on-gmo-crops-within-the-eu/

EUObserver, 05.12.14: New deal: EU countries can ban GMOs without asking industry http://euobserver.com/environment/126793

European Commission: RAPID: STATEMENT/14/2363: Commissioner Andriukaitis welcomes provisional political agreement on GMO cultivation http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_STATEMENT-14-2363_en.htm

EurActiv, 05.12.14: EU agrees to bring back GMOs in 2015 http://www.euractiv.com/sections/agriculture-food/eu-agrees-bring-back-gmos-2015-310620

European Commission: DG Health and Consumers: Food: Plant: GMOs http://ec.europa.eu/food/plant/gmo/index_en.htm

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