Commissioner Wallstrom welcomes EP endorsement of stricter and more transparent EU rules for GMOs

"Commissioner Wallstrom welcomes EP endorsement of stricter and more transparent EU rules for GMOs"

European Commission Press Release
April 12, 2000

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".

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Last Updated on 4/14/00
By Rachel C. Benbrook
Email: karen@biotech-info.net