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News

Brussels delays GM crop approval 

Source: FWi 15 January 2004
By Philip Clarke, Europe editor

BRUSSELS HAS delayed adopting a proposal to allow the import 
of a genetically modified sweet maize from Swiss firm Syngenta.

The move would signal an end to the EU's five-year ban on 
new approvals.

The commission was due to adopt the proposal on Tues (Jan 13), 
ready to be passed on to farm ministers to decide whether or not to grant a licence at their February council.

But a number of commissioners said they wanted to have a full debate on the subject first, and have postponed 
making a decision until Jan 28.

If the proposal is then adopted - and most commissioners 
are keen to see it progress - the subject will pass to 
farm ministers who will have three months to make a declaration.

The expectation is that the farm council will be split on 
the issue, mirroring the outcome of a vote taken by member state food experts last month.

Without a clear acceptance or rejection by farm ministers, 
the commission will be able to enact its own proposal, so 
ending the five-year moratorium.

In anticipation of this, German farm minister Renate Kunast 
has confirmed that her government is drawing up national legislation to allow the commercial cultivation of GM crops.

There would be strict rules covering contamination of non-GM crops, and clear laws for labelling.