[THS] The ECOLOGIST: EU's 'dangerous' move to nationalise GM decision-making

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http://www.theecologist.org/News/news_round_up/537888/eus_dangerous_move_to_nationalise_gm_decisionmaking.html

The ECOLOGIST
EU's 'dangerous' move to nationalise GM decision-making

Ecologist

14th July, 2010
Individual countries will be allowed to ban GM crops in a move the EU hopes will stop
them blocking new crops being grown by farmers in other member states

A wave of genetically-modified (GM) crops could soon be grown in Europe following
an announcement by the European Commission promising to nationalise the decision-
making process.

Individual countries in Europe can already block the planting of GM crops by invoking
a so-called 'safeguard clause', if they have justifiable reasons to consider that it poses
a risk to human health or the environment.

The new EU proposals, which are still to be approved by member states and the EU
parliament, would allow countries to ban GM crops for other reasons, such as
social/economic reasons or concern about cross contamination of conventional and
organic crops.

Current EU rules on GM

GM is currently considered on a case-by-case basis by the EU. Although several
varieties are technically allowed to be grown in Europe, only two are currently being
cultivated - GM maize (genetically modified to protect the crop against the European
corn borer pest and authorised in 1998) and a GM starch potato (a potato with
increased starch content intended for industrial use and authorised in 2010, the first
to be approved in 12 years).

Countries including Austria, Hungary, Republic of Ireland and Luxembourg are
known to be keen to declare themselves GM-free and regions in Italy and Germany
have already done so.

The new EU proposal would make this legally acceptable, stating: 'When the legal
amendment enters into force, Member States will be free to restrict or prohibit the
cultivation of all or particular GMOs, in parts of or in their entire territory. This
amendment will be applicable to all GMOs that have been authorised for cultivation in
the EU.'

'Dangerous move'

However, anti-GM campaigners say nationalising GM decision-making, if accepted,
would allow new crops to be fast-tracked into farming and end the current political
deadlock between countries at a European level.

'In an attempt to muddle through with a pro-GM agenda, [the EU] is offering
countries national bans if they turn a blind eye to the health and safety concerns they
have about new crops during the EU authorisation process,' said Greenpeace policy
advisor Stefanie Hundsdorfer.

'Individual bans cannot replace a scientifically sound EU-level safety procedure,' she
added. 'GM contamination does not stop at national borders.'

The EU insists it won't 'fast-track' GM in Europe arguing, 'there would be no speeding
up of authorisations or weakening of the rigorous environmental risk assessment
requirements of the legislation.'

Useful links
GM crops authorised for planting in Europe
Details on new EU proposal