EU Committee Opposes Draft Law Enabling EU Countries to Ban GMO Food and Feed

Posted on Oct 13 2015 - 4:18pm by Sustainable Pulse

A draft EU law that would enable any member state to restrict or prohibit the sale and use of EU-approved GMO food or feed on its territory was opposed by Environment Committee MEPs on Tuesday.

The European Parliament news service reported that Members are concerned that the proposal might prove unworkable and lead to the reintroduction of border controls between pro and anti-GMO countries. The recommendation will be put to a vote by Parliament as a whole at the 26-29 October plenary session in Strasbourg.

European Parliament News Service: Eight things you should know about GMOs

This decision comes following the recent decision to ban the cultivation of GM crops by 19 EU countries.

“A clear majority in the committee does not want to jeopardize the internal market. For us, the existing legislation should remain in place, and member states should shoulder their responsibilities and take a decision together at EU level, instead of introducing national bans” said Environment Committee chair Giovanni La Via (EPP, IT).

“This proposal conflicts with the principles of “better regulation” and transparency which the new European Commission has taken on board. After we spent so many years getting rid of internal barriers, this proposal could fragment the internal market and lead to a return to border inspections, which we all worked hard to get rid of at the time”, he added.

Next steps:

The recommendation was approved by 47 votes to 3, with 5 abstentions. It will be put to a plenary vote at the 26-29 October plenary session in Strasbourg.

Notes:

On 22 April 2015, the Commission presented – together with a communication – a proposal amending existing legislation as regards the possibility for the member states to restrict or prohibit the use of genetically modified food and feed on their territory.

In its proposal, the Commission suggests that it should mirror, as regards genetically modified food and feed, the recent legislation in respect of GMOs intended for cultivation, which entered into force in early April 2015. It therefore proposes to allow member states to restrict or prohibit – under certain conditions – the use of genetically modified food and feed on their territory after these products have been authorised at EU level.

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2 Comments so far. Feel free to join this conversation.

  1. Sava October 14, 2015 at 01:56 - Reply

    Who cares what the EU Committee thinks, people don’t want to be forced to eat this genetically modified crap!

  2. VictoriaHill October 14, 2015 at 08:43 - Reply

    BAN GMOS FOREVER
    they are POISON

  3. june October 17, 2015 at 01:55 - Reply

    I hope they stay. Diligent They deserve to have Food. Safety

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