Brussels, 29/06/2006 (Agence Europe) - The last Environment Council under Austrian EU Presidency in Luxembourg on 27 June opened up prospects of improving GMO risk assessment procedures by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the strengthening of cooperation between EFSA and relevant Member State agencies. Josef Pröll, outgoing Council President, told the press how delighted he was that the debate on such a highly controversial subject in the eyes of the European public should be rekindled under Austrian Presidency.
Strong criticism expressed in March by the Environment Ministers - who were displeased not only at EFSA's lack of transparency and its tendency to be a “lone rider” but also at the EU's decision-making process allowing the Commission to authorise GMOs against the majority opinion of Member States (EUROPE 9148) - gave way to a more consensual search for a solution. Guided by the proposals presented in April this year by the Commission (EUROPE 9173), and unable to count on abandoning the comitology rules in force, the Member States signed up to measures for improving EFSA procedures, stressing the importance of respecting the precautionary principle.
The EFSA director told ministers loud and clear that the body of which he is the head was resolved to cooperate more with Member States, to develop scientific approaches for risk assessment with them, and to conduct a regular and constructive dialogue on EFSA practice. After the session, Stavros Dimas, Environment Commissioner, seemed pleased with progress made: “Increased cooperation between national and European risk assessors is crucial in order to resolve diverging scientific views. This requires a more active role of both Commission and Member States in the scientific discussion. It is encouraging to hear that EFSA and the Member States reacted very constructively at a recent meeting by supporting the seven concrete measures outlined in the Commission's proposal”.