Brussels, 23/04/2004 (Agence Europe) - The EU Farm Ministers, who are to meet on Monday in Luxembourg under the chairmanship of Joe Walsh, will give their stance on the proposal authorising the placing on the market of sweet corn from genetically modified maize line Bt11 by Syngenta. They will seek to conclude a political agreement on improving conditions (as differences differ considerably, the Council may extend into the night).
Authorisation for genetically modified maize Bt11: On 7 April, Coreper delegations specified that their positions on the proposal for marketing genetically modified Bt11 sweet corn had not developed since the vote, on 8 December last, by EU experts (EUROPE of 9 December 2003). It is therefore not very likely that the Council will decide by qualified majority either for or against marketing approval for this product. If it is unable to take a stance, the decision for marketing approval and hence for the lifting of the EU moratorium on imports of new GMOs will be up to the European Commission. On 30 January, the Commission forwarded its proposal for marketing approval for Bt11 maize. The Council took three months to give its opinion. As the deadline expires 30 April, the Commission will finalise the decision from 1 May (it does not have a deadline to keep).
Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth call upon ministers to reject the authorisation to market genetically modified maize. The Greens/EFA Group at the EP calls for the European moratorium to be kept in place for the following reasons: - legal (rules for coexistence between GMO and non-GMO crops are not operational and there is no European legislation on civil and insurance liability in the case of damage); - scientific and economic (experts are divided over the consequences of GMOs on health and the economic interest of GMOs is challenged, including in the United States); and democratic (over 80% of European citizens prefer conventional or organic food).
Animal welfare during transport: The Irish Presidency will submit a draft compromise text authorising successive transport periods interrupted by compulsory rest periods but it is expected to make adjustments in order to make it acceptable to a qualified majority of Member States. During discussions at Coreper, Spain, Italy, France, Greece and Portugal pointed out that they could support the compromise, which provides for a succession of 9-hour periods, broken up by rest periods of varying lengths of time. Denmark, Sweden, Germany, the United Kingdom, Austria, the Netherlands and Luxembourg, however, demand a maximum transport time and criticise the lack of ambition in the provisions concerning loading density for animals and maximum authorised temperatures. On 24 February, the Council was very divided over the issue (EUROPE of 25 February 2004, p.9). Parliament took a stance (consultation) on 30 March, calling above all for animal transport to be limited to a maximum 9-hour duration (which is refused by the Commission). The Commission proposal dated July 2003 provides for 8 to 12-hour transport periods depending on the species of animal and the age of the animals, in addition to which there would be compulsory rest periods. Technical provisions are foreseen for lorries used for animal transport.
The Council will adopt without debate several decisions on official controls of food products and feed for animals, maximum authorised limits applying to residues (MRLs) in products of animal and plant origin, hygiene of animal feed, and the different elements of the hygiene package for foodstuffs.