| Author (Person) | Davies, Eric | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Publisher | ProQuest Information and Learning | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Series Title | In Focus | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Series Details | 22.3.04 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Publication Date | 22/03/2004 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Content Type | News, Overview, Topic Guide | In Focus | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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At the end of January 2004, the European Commission met to review the Union's policy on genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Commissioners' discussions were based around a Communication intended to:
Following the meeting, Commission President Romano Prodi said that the EU 'has put in place a clear, transparent and stringent system to regulate genetically modified food, feed and plants. Our legislation ensures that GMOs authorised in the EU are safe for human consumption and for the release into the environment. Clear labelling rules allow farmers to choose what to plant and consumers to choose what to buy.' Commissioners also approved a proposal to authorise a genetically modified sweet corn (BT11) for use in food. The Commission's meeting took place shortly after the publication in the United Kingdom of the second and Final Report of the GM Science Review Panel, which assessed current scientific knowledge of GM crops and foods. On 9 March, the UK Government announced that it would grant a licence for a single variety of genetically modified maize, for use as animal feed. The decision - which runs until October 2006 - was both applauded and derided. Background In Question and Answers on the regulation of GMOs in the EU, genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and genetically modified micro-organisms (GMMs) are defined by the European Commission as: 'organisms (and micro-organisms) in which the genetic material (DNA) has been altered in a way that does not occur naturally by mating or natural recombination.' On 11 September 2003, the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety - the first international legal framework for the cross-border movement of GMOs on the basis of the 'precautionary principle' - entered into force. Welcoming its advent, Environment Commissioner Margot Wallström said: 'The Cartagena Protocol establishes one set of basic international rules for dealing with GMOs. It is a fundamental step towards better global governance in the GMO field. This is badly needed to maximise the benefits deriving from biotechnology and minimise the risks for the environment and human health. It will contribute to increasing public confidence in the safe management of GMOs. This Protocol will particularly help developing countries, which often lack the resources to assess the risks of biotechnology and make informed choices about it' (see: Safe management of GMOs: the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety becomes law). The Union has had legislation on GMOs since the early 1990s. The current legislative framework consists of: Directive 90/219, as amended by Council Directive 98/81 (on the contained use of GMMs for research and industrial purposes) Directive 2001/18 (on the approval process for GMOs or products consisting of or containing them) Regulation 258/97 on Novel Foods and Novel Food Ingredients (to be replaced on 18 April 2004 by Regulation 1829/2003) Regulation 1830/2003 (on traceability and labelling of GMOs and the traceability of food and feed products produced from them - in force from 18 April 2004) Despite the existence of this 'comprehensive regulatory framework', the Commission's Communication ... For an orientation debate on Genetically Modified Organisms and related issues recognised the need to '[restore] the confidence of consumers and [the] public at large.' The Communication looked at what it described as the 'new political background', including moves by third countries to have EU initiatives on GMOs declared illegal under World Trade Organisation rules. Actions of individual Member States seeking to 'operate the most restrictive policy possible in relation to GM crops cultivation' and test 'how far they can go in establishing GM-free zones' were also highlighted. The Commission does not support a 'GM-free' approach, but acknowledges that 'from a political point of view it could be difficult to reject these attempts at establishing GM-free zones, which are driven by strong public local concern and economic considerations ...' On 22 January, the GM Science Review Panel published its second and Final Report into GM crops. The Review was published in response to a request from the Secretary of State for Environment Food and Rural Affairs. The second report 'considered the report of the public debate, new scientific developments since the first report including the Farm Scale Evaluation (FSE) results, and feedback on the first report.' Although it 'clarified a number of points', it did not alter the findings of the earlier report, but reiterated that that report 'found no scientific case for ruling out all GM crops and their products, but nor did it give blanket approval.' The Commission meeting on 28 January had also agreed to submit a draft authorisation of a GM maize known as NK603 to the Regulatory Committee (comprising representatives of Member States), for a decision in February (see: GMOs: Commission takes stock of progress). On 18 February, the Regulatory Committee failed to support the Commission's decision to authorise the import and processing of NK603. Despite that decision, the Commission was able to formally adopt a proposal for approval by the Council. If authorised, the maize could be imported into the EU after 18 April (see: Decision on GM maize NK603 to be referred to Council). On 5 March, the UK Parliament's Environmental Audit Committee published a Report GM Food - Evaluating the Farm Scale Trials, which raised concerns over the validity of the Farm Scale Evaluations (FSEs) and called on the Government not to approve commercial planting of GM maize for fodder until further evaluations have been conducted. The Financial Times reported the view of Friends of the Earth that Parliament's Report 'raises many valid scientific concerns and further confirms the trials were fatally flawed and can no longer justify GM crops being given the green light' (see: Also on 5 March, the National Consumers Council was one of eight organisations which wrote An Open Letter to Tony Blair, calling on the Government 'to respond to the concerns of our members and supporters, as well as those of the public more generally by not allowing the commercial use of GM crops in the UK at this time.' Given the perceived level of opposition to GM crops in the UK, the statement on GM policy presented on 9 March by Secretary of State Margaret Beckett, came as a surprise to many observers. Her statement outlined the legislative framework, acknowledged 'general unease about GM crops and food and little support for early commercialisation of GM crops'. In relation to the specific crops tested in the Farm Scale Evaluations, she confirmed that the UK will 'oppose EU approval for the commercial cultivation of the GM beet and oilseed rape as grown in the FSE trials' and will 'only allow the commercial cultivation of the GM maize in the FSE trials if restrictions are imposed on its EU marketing consent to limit herbicide use'. The product approved is a Spring-grown maize known as Chardon LL. Government approval is only one of a number of steps prior to it being sown. It must be placed on the UK Seed List, and have the associated pesticide (glufosinate ammonium, sold under the brand name 'Liberty') approved by the UK Pesticides Safety Directorate. The soonest it can be sown is therefore early in 2005. However, there is still a possibility that approval could be withdrawn, as both the Scottish Parliament and the National Assembly for Wales have the power to veto the decision (see BBC: Q&A: GM crops decision). Given the decision of the Assembly in 2000 to keep Wales 'GM free' it seems unlikely that it will support Mrs Beckett's decision. (Two other GM crops - oilseed rape and beet - were said to be more harmful to wildlife than their conventional equivalents, and were not approved; see BBC: GM tests show wildlife dangers). The BBC pointed out that the tests 'were very limited in scope', and that they 'did not try to see whether genes could flow from GM plants to other crops, or whether their pollen would spread, or what effect they might have on soil organisms. All they tested was the impact on food sources for wildlife' (see: GM crops: What the science says). In Predictable divide on crop decision, the BBC also quoted the reactions of both pro- and anti-GM interests: a spokesman for Monsanto UK described the decision as 'a small step forward'; the Chief Executive of the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council said that GM technology 'has great potential benefits for both the public and producers'; in the view of Friends of the Earth, the Government had 'shown two fingers to the British public'; Greenpeace was scathing in its attack on the Government, saying: 'Who on earth is Tony Blair listening to? He's given the nod to GM maize based on trials that anybody with a passing knowledge of A-level science would be able to tell you were flawed.' GeneWatch UK immediately responded, arguing that the decision 'ignored the conclusions of the public debate, had no debate in parliament, and given the biotech industry the benefit of the doubt about scientific uncertainty' (see: UK Government ignores science ...). However, the idea that GM foods face widespread opposition was refuted by an opinion poll released by Cardiff University, the University of East Anglia and the Institute of Food Research. The poll reportedly 'found that 39 per cent [of respondents] were neither for nor against GM food, 36 per cent were opposed and 13 per cent were in favour' (see Financial Times: Further information within European Sources Online European Sources Online: In Focus
European Sources Online: European Voice
European Sources Online: Financial Times
Further information can be seen in these external links: EU Institutions European Commission
DG Press and Communication
DG Environment
DG Health and Consumer Protection
Joint Research Centre
National governments Belgium Belgian Biosafety Clearing House
Sweden Swedish Board of Agriculture
United Kingdom Agriculture and Environment Biotechnology Commission
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA)
GM Public Debate
10 Downing Street
Parliament Environmental Audit Committee
Industry Monsanto UK Pharmalicensing
Pressure and representative groups, non-governmental organisations European Public Health Alliance GeneWatch UK
GM Science
National Consumers Council
OECD
Academic institutions Colorado State University: Department of Soil and Crop Sciences
The Royal Society
University of Reading: School of Food Biosciences
Media organisations BBC News Online
Eric Davies Background and reporting on the week's main stories in the European Union and the wider Europe. |
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