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

The European Commission has rejected a notification by Cyprus that required
genetically modified foods to be displayed separately from non-GM foods in
supermarkets, March 2006 by Lorraine Heller.

The decision was taken on grounds that the legal base on which the Cypriot
authorities submitted the notification is subject to certain conditions that
do not apply in the case of this draft legislation, said the Commission.

In September 2005, the Cyprus Parliament had notified the Commission of a
draft law that would require supermarkets to place GM foods on specially
designated shelves, separate from non-GM foods.

The bill highlights increasing concerns when it comes to protecting consumer
choice and public health in the face of what is perceived by many as a GM
threat.

The Cyprus government submitted the notification under Article 95(5) of the
EC Treaty, which allows a member state to introduce national legislation
that differs from harmonized EU rules, under certain conditions.

These exemptions must be based on new scientific evidence relating to the
protection of the environment or the working environment, on grounds of a
problem specific to that member state according to the Commission.

After a six month consultation period, the Commission yesterday announced
that evidence provided by the Cyprus authorities did not meet the conditions
of Article 95(5) and therefore was non-admissible.

However, the issue adds another building block in the wall erected by member
states that have not warmed easily to GM acceptance.

Indeed, just last month the World Trade Organisation (WTO) ruled that the EU
and six member states broke trade rules by barring entry to GM crops and
foods between June 1999 and August 2003.

And although Brussels again began authorising imports of GMOs in May 2004,
only seven crops and foods were given the green light. Further bans were
imposed by France, Germany, Austria, Italy, Luxembourg and Greece.

In any case, the WTO ruling may prove more symbolic than effective, given
that the EU claims it has no ban on safe GM products. More importantly,
widespread consumer rejection of GM products will likely mean that the
technology remains untouchable for many manufacturers and retailers.

It is clear that member states still need to be convinced that introducing
genetically modified ingredients into food production is acceptable. The
Commission has asked EU members over ten times to vote on authorising a GMO
food or feed product, but in the large majority of cases, there was no
agreement or simple deadlock.

[www.foodproductiondaily.com]

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