Saturday 26 May 2012
Headlines
Did you find this story interesting? (0) (0)
13/07/2010 15:42:14
EU relaxes plans on GM crops
The European Commission will today announce proposals to speed up the EU’s genetically modified (GM) crop authorisation procedure.
Member states are being promised the right to ban GM cultivation if they reduce their opposition during the EU-level authorisation process.
The Commission hopes the proposal will break a decade-long deadlock [1] in the authorisation procedure, according to a leaked document [2]. It promises to formalise in law what already exists in practice - where half a dozen countries have banned GM crops [3]. The Commission tried four times to overturn these national bans, but each time failed to get the qualified majority needed in Council. Today’s proposal would be the reverse of what EU environment ministers unanimously called for in 2008 - a strengthening of the authorisation procedure [4].
Friends of the Earth Europe’s food campaigner Mute Schimpf said:
"While the European Commission is seemingly offering countries the right to implement national bans, in reality the proposal aims to do the opposite - opening Europe’s fields to GM crops.
"The Commission continues to fail to protect Europe’s food and feed from contamination by GM crops, and we urge countries to reject this deal as it stands.
"Until member states’ demands for a full reassessment of the risks of GM crops are met, there should be a moratorium on authorising new GM crops."
Greenpeace policy adviser Stefanie Hundsdorfer said:
"The Commission failed four times to overturn national bans against GM crops and their poisonous agricultural model.
"Now president Barroso is admitting defeat by presenting a compromise deal. In an attempt to muddle through with his pro-GM agenda, he is offering countries national bans if they turn a blind eye to the health and safety concerns they have about new crops during the EU authorisation process.
"But individual bans cannot replace a scientifically sound EU-level safety procedure. GM contamination does not stop at national borders."
The Commission proposal allows member states to ban GM crops on contamination grounds, an improvement on earlier drafts, but does not give member states an additional right to ban on the important environment or health grounds. It also fails to deal with the contamination caused in member states that decide to grow GM crops. The Commission’s own impact assessment concluded that the proposals would lead to a "negative impact for non-GM farmers.
Hundsdorfer added:
"Barroso seems to think that member states want to ban GM for political reasons and that the scientific concerns they have been raising for years are mere posturing.
"But their concerns are real and today’s proposal will only provide the Commission with temporary relief."
A briefing document is available on request.
Member states are being promised the right to ban GM cultivation if they reduce their opposition during the EU-level authorisation process.
The Commission hopes the proposal will break a decade-long deadlock [1] in the authorisation procedure, according to a leaked document [2]. It promises to formalise in law what already exists in practice - where half a dozen countries have banned GM crops [3]. The Commission tried four times to overturn these national bans, but each time failed to get the qualified majority needed in Council. Today’s proposal would be the reverse of what EU environment ministers unanimously called for in 2008 - a strengthening of the authorisation procedure [4].
Friends of the Earth Europe’s food campaigner Mute Schimpf said:
"While the European Commission is seemingly offering countries the right to implement national bans, in reality the proposal aims to do the opposite - opening Europe’s fields to GM crops.
"The Commission continues to fail to protect Europe’s food and feed from contamination by GM crops, and we urge countries to reject this deal as it stands.
"Until member states’ demands for a full reassessment of the risks of GM crops are met, there should be a moratorium on authorising new GM crops."
Greenpeace policy adviser Stefanie Hundsdorfer said:
"The Commission failed four times to overturn national bans against GM crops and their poisonous agricultural model.
"Now president Barroso is admitting defeat by presenting a compromise deal. In an attempt to muddle through with his pro-GM agenda, he is offering countries national bans if they turn a blind eye to the health and safety concerns they have about new crops during the EU authorisation process.
"But individual bans cannot replace a scientifically sound EU-level safety procedure. GM contamination does not stop at national borders."
The Commission proposal allows member states to ban GM crops on contamination grounds, an improvement on earlier drafts, but does not give member states an additional right to ban on the important environment or health grounds. It also fails to deal with the contamination caused in member states that decide to grow GM crops. The Commission’s own impact assessment concluded that the proposals would lead to a "negative impact for non-GM farmers.
Hundsdorfer added:
"Barroso seems to think that member states want to ban GM for political reasons and that the scientific concerns they have been raising for years are mere posturing.
"But their concerns are real and today’s proposal will only provide the Commission with temporary relief."
A briefing document is available on request.
No Comments
Nobody has posted any comments on this story.
|
Farming items for Sale
|
John Deere 2250 - Nr Kendal(GBP 6900)
John Deere 6420S Autoquad - Biddenden(GBP 24000)
Renault 106/54 TL - Ballyclare(GBP 11040)
Used Valtra T182V - Dinton
(Price on Application)
(Price on Application)
MF 6180 1995 4360 hrs 40kph excellent in every - Craven Arms(GBP 15750)
Related News
GM content of shipments to the EU relaxed - 05 Mar 2011A European Union regulatory committee has finally reached agreement on a move to prevent further damaging disruption of feed imports. The Standing ...
UK government to press EU on GM crops - 16 Sep 2009The UK Government is pressing the EU to address the issue of GM crops to avert feed costs spiralling out of control. Fears that feed prices could b...
New research published on cross-pollination between GM and Non-GM crops - 25 Oct 2005The results of a Defra-funded study on gene flow (cross-pollination) between GM and non-GM oilseed rape were published in the October edition of the s...
England need to relax planning laws - CLA - 21 Jul 2010The CLA welcomed the Welsh Assembly Government’s announcement on planning guidance, designed to boost the rural economy and increase the provisi...
EU to relax foot and mouth restrictions on UK meat exports - 11 Jul 2007LONDON (Thomson Financial) - The EU Commission has agreed to relax the current foot and mouth disease (FMD) export restrictions on UK meat and meat...
EU relaxes rules on ugly fruits and vegetables - 12 Nov 2008It’s time to welcome back the curvy zucchini, the mangled mushroom and other odd and ugly fruits and vegetables. The European Union bid adieu...
Soil Association backs Meacher's stance on GM crops - 23 Jun 2003The Soil Association has backed former environment minister Michael Meacher's outspoken criticism of the government's position GM food, in yes...
Farm scale evaluation of GM Crops - 12 Sep 2003On 1st August 2003 details were published of the proposed arrangements made by the independent Scientific Steering Committee (SSC) for the publicatio...
NFU want no compensation for non-GM farmers with contaminated crops - 10 Oct 2003The Soil Association today attacked the National Farmers' Union's position that non-GM farmers should have no financial protection if GM crops are gr...
Executive shelves GM crops proposals until after election - 20 Nov 2006The Executive is repeatedly delaying a crucial consultation on the threat of GM crops and has now announced that it will not take place until summer 2...
