Brussels, 24/09/2014 (Agence Europe) - There is now nothing opposing the European Parliament from going forward in the examination of the draft directive of July 2010 that seeks to allow member states to authorise restrictions or bans in their respective territories of GMO crops permitted at an EU level, for reasons other than those relating to health or the environment (see EUROPE 11147). The timetable for MEPs' work in this connection has now come to a halt in an effort to reach an agreement in the second reading on this text, as confirmed by Giovanni La Via (EPP, Italy), who chairs the EP's environment committee, on Wednesday 24 September.
The Council reached a common official position in July and on 13 October the draft report will be presented for the second reading. The cut-off date for submitting amendments is 15 October. The environment committee vote will take place on 5 November in an effort to provide the Council with a negotiating brief. La Via indicated that he hoped there would be an agreement. In that case, the vote confirming the agreement and the vote in the plenary session would take place in January 2015”. He also pointed out that the Italian presidency wanted an agreement in the second reading before the end of 2014. (AN)