Brussels, 16/02/2001 (Agence Europe) - Margot Wallstrom, Commissioner for the Environment and Health, and David Byrne together welcomed the formal adoption of the revised Directive 90/220/EEC on the deliberate release of genetically modified organisms into the environment (see yesterday's EUROPE, p.8). Because it strengthens existing legislation, notably by making public consultation, the labelling of GMOs and the control of their long-term effects compulsory, the Commission considers that the revised directive will serve as foundation for a coherent, transparent and efficient regulatory framework to govern the handling og genetically modified organims. In a press release, the Commission confirms that this framework will soon be complemented by regulatory proposals on the traceability and labelling of GMOs from the field to the plate, as well as on genetically modified feed.
Margot Wallstrom declared: : "The adoption of this directive represents an important first milestone towards the restoration of public and market confidence. The public is concerned about the use of these new technologies in the sector of Health and Environment. It is our responsibility as policy makers to take up those concerns and address them in a coherent and transparent way. We must show strong political leadership and explain that we have a strict, efficient and transparent system in place to deal with the production and processing of GMOs". David Byrne added: "The regulatory framework must provide a high level of protection for human health and the environment based on sound science and at the same time should allow society to profit from the benefits of these new technologies. The adoption of this new legislation today is an important point of departure for further legislation on the use of GMOs in food, feed and seed". According to him, "the complementary package of measures that the Commission will present in March aims to provide additional guarantees of reliability and safety for consumers and the environment, as well as to enable citizens to make informed choices when purchasing and consuming GMOs. It has also to provide all players with legal certainty with regard to the authorisation of such products. The first of these measures will be a proposal for a horizontal Council and Parliament Regulation on traceability with specific and distinct requirements for GMOs, including provisions on the labelling of GMOs". This proposal is expected for March.