Brussels, 06/09/2010 (Agence Europe) - An EU Council ad hoc Working Party on genetically modified crops is to be set up and ready to begin work this month. Creation of the group, proposed by several member states, including France and the United Kingdom, was endorsed by member states' ambassadors in the COREPER meeting on Friday 3 September.
The new group's remit will be to examine the Commission communication and the draft regulations of 13 July (see EUROPE 10180) proposing a change to Directive 2001/18/EC on the deliberate release of genetically modified organisms into the environment to allow member states to restrict or ban cultivation of GMOs legally authorised in the EU on their territory, with the Commission and other member states informed of measures taken.
The ad hoc working party will also be asked to examine the various aspects of GMO cultivation, in particular the economic and legal aspects. COREPER asked for these two to be considered in addition to the agricultural and economic aspects.
In bringing forward its proposals in July, the Commission announced that, before the end of the year, it would publish the report on the socio-economic impact of GMOs that member states have been calling for for the last two years. Member states would like socio-economic criteria to be taken into account in the European authorisation process. (A.N./transl.rt)