www.checkbiotech.org ; www.raupp.info ; www.czu.cz

The last Environment Council under the United Kingdom?s Presidency will take
place on 2 December in Brussels. Amongst other policy debates, the Council
will discuss the next steps on genetically modified organisms (GMOs). A vote
is expected on the approval of a GM maize known as MON863xMON810 for import
and processing in the EU, December 2005.

The Council will vote on a proposal from the Commission to authorise the GM
maize known as MON863XMON810 for import and processing in the EU. The maize
is the first hybrid product to be proposed for authorisation under the
current EU legislation on GMOs. It is a combination of two products which
have already been authorised ? maize MON863, which the Commission authorised
on 8 August 2005 for import and processing as animal feed for a period of
ten years, and maize MON810, which has been authorised since 1998. MON
863xMON810 has been genetically modified to become resistant to corn
rootworm and to certain other pests.

The maize was originally assessed by the German authorities, who concluded
that there was no evidence for risks. EFSA confirmed this assessment.
Consequently the Commission proposed to authorise the placing on the
European market of MON863/MON810 for import and processing. The Regulatory
Committee composed of member states representatives did not reach a
qualified majority to produce an opinion. Therefore, the proposal was
referred to Council, who must now vote on it. The Council can either adopt
or reject the decision with a qualified majority. If no qualified majority
is reached, the file will come back to the Commission for final adoption.

Next steps on GMOs

Following the decision of the October Environment Council, ministers will
have a policy debate on the future of GMO policy. Ministers are invited to
address one question from the Presidency: ?Which aspects of policy on GM
crops and food merit further in-depth analysis and political discussion,
such as the potential risks and benefits of GM technology (including the
regulatory regime and the decision-making process for individual GMOs) and
the need for further research??

The Commission will present an information note describing the existing
legal framework, and setting out its views on the issue raised. As regards
future steps, it notably refers to upcoming reports on the implementation
and operation of Directive 2001/18 and Regulation 1829/2003 and the mid-term
review of the Strategy for Europe on Life Sciences and Biotechnology.

[europa.eu.int]
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