Bridges Trade BioRes • Volume 5 • Number 12 • 24th June 2005
EU Ministers Vote to Allow National GM Bans
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EU Environmental Ministers on 24 June voted to allow Austria, France, Germany, Greece and Luxembourg to maintain eight national bans on varieties of genetically modified (GM) maize and rapeseed. The bans, which have been challenged at the WTO by the US, Canada and Argentina (see BRIDGES Trade BioRes, 5 June 2005) and have been described as lacking “scientific basis” by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), were the subject of a European Commission proposal — likely motivated by the WTO challenge — that would have ordered the countries to lift the bans within 20 days. Instead, the Council of Ministers decided by qualified majority to reject the Commission’s proposal, with the five countries, along with the UK and Spain, all voting to allow the bans to continue. “The European Commission asked for more guidance from the member states and they got it,” Friends of the Earth Europe Campaigner Adrian Bebb said. “Countries today have demanded the sovereign right to ban genetically modified crops if there are questions over their safety.” Ministers failed to agree on whether or not to authorise GM maize variety MON 863, made by Monsanto, and as with previous GM maize varieties the matter will now move to the Commission for decision.
“EU ministers rebuff plans to overturn GMO bans,” REUTERS, 24 June 2005; “EU MINISTERS VOTE TO KEEP GM FOOD BANS,” FOEE NEWS RELEASE, 24 June 2005; ” UK backs end to bans on GM crops,” BBC NEWS, 24 June 2005; ” EU govts ready to slap down order to lift GMO bans,” FINANCIAL EXPRESS, 24 June 2005.
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