www.czu.cz ; www.usab-tm.ro ; www.raupp.info


The European Commission today adopted proposals to be sent to the Council of
Ministers asking five Member states to lift their bans on certain authorised
genetically modified organisms, April 2005.

The draft decisions concern the GM maize varieties T25 and MON810 banned
in Austria, GM maize Bt176 banned in Austria, Germany and Luxembourg, the
oilseed rape varieties MS1xRF1 banned in France and Topas 19/2 banned in
France and Greece.

The Regulatory Committee, which is set up under Directive 2001/18/EC and
representing the Member States, did not reach the qualified majority
necessary to support the Commission proposal to ask the five Member States
to lift their national measures.

The Commission's proposals are scientifically backed by the European Food
Safety Authority (EFSA). The Council can either adopt or reject the
proposals with a qualified majority.

If no decision is taken after three months, the files return to the
Commission who can then adopt them. If adopted, the Member States in
question would have to repeal their national bans at the latest 20 days
after they are formally notified of the respective decisions.

[europa.eu.int]

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