Bridges Trade BioRes • Volume 2 • Number 4 • 7th March 2002
European Commission Proposal on Implementing Biosafety Protocol
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The European Commission on 22 February released its long-awaited proposal on regulating cross-border movements of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), which aims to implement the provisions of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety into EU legislation. In particular, the proposal introduces a notification obligation for exports of GMOs intended for deliberate release into the environment. It furthermore includes information obligations at the international level on EU practices, legislation and decisions on GMOs, setting rules for identification of GMOs for exports in line with its latest labelling and traceability proposals (see BRIDGES Weekly, 20 February 2001). Regarding GMO imports, the proposal only covers unintentional transboundary movements of genetically modified products, while referring to existing EU legislation for imports and intra-EU movements. A de facto European moratorium on the approval of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) has been in place since 1998. The Commission is also preparing a proposal for a Council decision on the conclusion of the Protocol aimed at ensuring its ratification by the EU. The Cartagena Protocol was adopted in January 2000 to ensure “an adequate level of protection in the field of the safe transfer, handing and use of living modified organisms resulting from modern biotechnology”. To date, 11 of the 50 ratifications necessary for the Protocol to enter into force have been submitted.
“Responsible management of GMOs: Commission proposes EU implementation of Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety,” PRESS RELEASE, 22 February 2002.
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