Individual countries now have the freedom to allow, restrict or ban the cultivation of Genetically Modified Organisms on part or all of their territory, according to new proposals adopted today by the European Commission.
While keeping unchanged the EU's science-based GM authorisation system, the adopted package consists of a Communication, a new recommendation on coexistence of GM crops with conventional and/or organic crops.
The new recommendation on co-existence allows more flexibility to member states taking into account their local, regional and national conditions when adopting coexistence measures.
Health and Consumer Policy Commissioner John Dalli said the EC promised last March to present a comprehensive proposal on future policy vis-à-vis GM cultivation by the end of the summer and is now delivering on that promise.
Mr Dalli said the concrete measures adopted today will allow member states the freedom to decide on GMO cultivation.
He said experience with GMOs so far shows that Member States need more flexibility to organise the co-existence of GM and other types of crops such as conventional and organic crops.
