April 12, 2000 / European Commission / DN: IP/00/374
Brussels -- Commissioner Wallstrom welcomes EP endorsement of stricter and
more transparent EU rules for GMOs
Commenting on today's vote Margot Wallstrom EU Environment Commissioner
stated: "The European Parliament has contributed to ensuring that we get a
much more balanced and effective framework for risk assessment and approval
of GMO products in the future. This vote is crucial to realising the
potential of biotechnology in Europe, while at the same time managing and
reducing risks related to this new technology. It responds to the concerns
of many European citizens."
She added: "GMO legislation must provide a high level of protection for
human health and the environment, and at the same time allow society to
profit from the benefits of these new technologies. We need transparent
rules for approval, a wide dialogue and strong political leadership to
ensure this. European institutions, the Member States, Industry and Science
all have to take their responsibilities, and the general public, and not
only the experts, must be properly consulted".
The Commission has declared its intention to accept a number of amendments
to the Common Position of the Council. These include amendments on:
- the need to submit the appropriate Proposals for the implementation of the
Biosafety Protocol when ratified
- transmission of new information to the public and possibilities of the
public to comment
- the importance of presenting proposals for legislation on a horizontal
liability regime for environmental damage by 2001
- the phase-out of antibiotic resistance marker genes by 2005
- obligations to ensure that the implications of gene transfer are
accurately assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Liability
The Commission welcomes the fact that the Parliament chose to refrain from
introducing rules on environmental liability, which are specific to GMOs.
The Commission indeed believes that a horizontal approach to liability is
the most efficient way to guarantee a comprehensive responsibility regime
for environmental damage. This will provide clarity for complainants and
prevent loopholes. This is also the best way to complement the existing
horizontal system for product liability already covering GMOs. Commissioner
Wallstrom has stated her intention to present a proposal for legislation on
liability before the end of 2001.
The Commission was either not in a position to endorse amendments, or
requires further clarification on the following points:
Biosafety Protocol export/import obligations
The implications of the Protocol on the overall EU legislative framework
must be fully assessed first. However, the Commission holds the view that
the new Directive should not include provisions on import and export
obligations in this revision.
Pharmaceuticals.
The Commission has doubts about excluding pharmaceuticals from the scope of
the Directive. In certain circumstances these products may have
environmental implications. It is therefore appropriate that the general
obligations of the Directive on risk assessment apply to these products.
Time limitation The Commission will further consider the concerns raised by
the Parliament on time limitation of consent.
Margot Wallstrom concluded: "The new rules will help to restore both public
and market confidence. The European institutions must now work together to
finalise this important piece of legislation rapidly".
(posted without permission)
