Page 4 of articles about GMO -Genetically Modified Orga

The EC has asked EU member states to check imports of wheat from the United States which may be tainted with a genetically modified strain.

The key objectives of this Regulation are: to reinforce and improve the authorisation process of GM food and feed and to clarify the requirements for submitting a request.

Member States failed to take a position on a Commission proposal for the authorisation of GM maize MIR162 for use in food and feed.

The document outlines specific data requirements and the methodology to be followed for risk assessment should applications for food and feed derived from GM animals be submitted for market authorisation in the European Union (EU).

EU Member States should have the flexibility to ban or restrict the cultivation of genetically modified crops and should be able to cite environmental motives for doing so, according to MEPs voting on draft legislation on Tuesday.

The European Commission adopted today a regulation that harmonises the implementation of the zero tolerance policy on non-authorised genetically modified (GM) material in feed.

MEPs from the Environment Committee voted to allow EU countries to ban or restrict the use of GMOs (genetically modified organisms) on environmental grounds, giving them better legal protection in the event of challenges from trading partners opposed to a ban. "Our proposal offers states a solid, legal basis," said French Liberal Corinne Lepage, Parliament's draftswoman for the rules.

EU Member States should be able to state environmental grounds, such as pesticide resistance, for restricting or banning the cultivation of EU-approved genetically-modified crops, said the Environment Committee on Tuesday. Stating these grounds could strengthen legal protection against possible WTO challenges to GMO bans, it added.

Member States endorsed yesterday a Commission proposal that shall harmonise the implementation of the zero tolerance policy on non-authorised genetically modified (GM) material in feed. The adopted measure defines the lowest level of GM presence (LLP) that is considered by the EU GMO Reference Laboratory when validating detection methods (it is set at 0.1%).

At a meeting of the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health (SCoFCAH), Member States returned no definitive opinion, either for or against, on proposals tabled by the Commission concerning three applications on GM maize and an application on cotton product.

Market mechanisms to limit price volatility and speculation in the European livestock sector should be introduced urgently, say MEPs, as farmers are suffering a major crisis, partly due to rising costs of feed material, particularly cereals, which could lead to a significant fall in EU meat production. A combination of factors, including higher production costs (fuel, fertilisers and feed), greater competition from third countries, low prices paid to farmers and the high cost of complying with EU environment, animal health , food safety and labour criteria, is putting at risk the EU livestock sector. Parliament approved on Thursday, by show of hands, a resolution listing a number of recommendations to help improve the situation.

The European Commission takes note of the publication today of the European Food Safety Authority's (EFSA) Guidance for the environmental risk assessment (ERA) of GM plants. The guidance is the primary tool for applicants when submitting applications for GM authorization and for Member States and EFSA when assessing the environmental risk of GM plants. It is expected to reach its final form after discussions – to be launched next month - between the Commission, Member States and stakeholders.

Vietnam has started a pilot project on genetically modified corn cultivation in a move to reduce dependency on corn imports for local feed manufacturing.

The European Commission adopted today five Decisions authorising GM maize 1507x59122, 59122x1507xNK603, MON88017xMON810, MON89034xNK603 and Bt11xGA21 and one Decision renewing the authorisation of Bt11 maize. These 6 decisions cover the authorisation for food and feed uses and import and processing but not for cultivation.

The Commission proposed to confer to Member States the freedom to allow, restrict or ban the cultivation of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) on part or all of their territory.