ANNEX A

Excerpts from a press release issued by the European Commission

Brussels, 13 July 2000

This initiative by the Commission, to “resume the authorisation process for GMOs in the near future” has so far failed; the de facto Moratorium remains in place.

 

“Commission takes initiative to restore confidence in GMO approval process

The European Commission decided yesterday to propose to Member States a strategy to regain public trust in the approval procedure for Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs). The objective is to resume the authorisation process for GMOs in the near future whilst addressing public concerns on GMOs as well as problems of legal uncertainty for stakeholders. (...)

The Commission's strategy aims to enable the relaunch of authorisations of GMO products on the basis of a reinforced framework for approvals. It entails the following:(...)

- A comprehensive set of labelling provisions which would cover GMOs and GMO products to be submitted by the Commission by autumn 2000

- An initiative on a traceability system for GMOs to be submitted by the Commission by autumn 2000

- Acceleration of work on related issues. This includes environmental liability, the monitoring and study of possible long-term effects on biodiversity; further research; as well as taking into account international developments (i.e. Biosafety Protocol) (...)

Background

GMOs and the use of modern biotechnology in food and plants is currently the focus of intense public and political debate. Growing concerns have particularly focused on potential risks to human health and the environment. A "de facto moratorium" applied by Member States has implied that no new GM products have received approval under the EU procedure since October 1998. Five Member States have banned already approved GM products, under Art 16 of Directive 90/220. This article enables Member States to ban or restrict use/sale of specific GMO products temporarily, on certain conditions.

Approvals of GMO products in the EU are based on both general and specific legislation. 18 products have been approved to date under the general Directive (Directive 90/220/CEE), while 14 are pending approval. This Directive is currently under revision. The second reading in the European Parliament was completed in April, and a conciliation procedure between Council and European Parliament is scheduled to be launched on 19 September.

Released on 13/07/2000”

 

 

 

ANNEX B

GMO PRODUCTS APPROVED UNDER DIRECTIVE 90/220/EEC as of May 2000

 

 

  1. Vaccine against Aujeszky's disease, Vemie Veterinär Chemie GmbH
  2. Vaccine against rabies, Rhône-Mêrieux
  3. Tobacco tolerant to bromoxynil, SEITA
  4. Vaccine against Aujeszky's disease (further uses) Vemie, Veterinär Chemie GmbH
  5. Male sterile swede rape resistant to glufosinate ammonium (MS1, RF1)

    6. Uses: breeding activities, Plant Genetic Systems

  6. Soybeans tolerant to glyphosate Uses: import and processing, Monsanto
  7. Male sterile chicory tolerant to glufosinate ammonium Uses: breeding activities, Bejo-Zaden BV
  8. Bt-maize tolerant to glufosinate ammonium (Bt-176), Ciba-Geigy
  9. Male sterile swede rape tolerant to glufosinate ammonium (MS1, RF1), Plant Genetic Systems
  10. Male sterile swede rape tolerant to glufosinate ammonium (MS1, RF2), Plant Genetic Systems
  11. Test kit to detect antibiotic residues in milk, Valio Oy
  12. Carnation lines with modified flower colour, Florigene
  13. Swede rape tolerant to glufosinate ammonium (Topas 19/2) Uses: import and processing, AgrEvo
  14. Maize tolerant to glufosinate ammonium (T25), AgrEvo
  15. Maize expressing the Bt cryIA(b) gene (MON 810), Monsanto
  16. Maize tolerant to glufosinate ammonium and expressing the Bt cryIA(b)gene (Bt-11) Uses: import and processing, Novartis (formerly Northrup King)
  17. Carnation lines with improved vase life, Florigene
  18. Carnation lines with modified flower colour, Florigene

 

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