New rules for testing and monitoring the safety of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) were voted for in the European Parliament yesterday.
A proposed EU directive aims to regulate the deliberate release of GMOs which include commercial products bought and sold on the market and GMOs for any other purposes such as medical, research and development.
The new rules cover products consisting of or containing GMOs such as raw GM soya and GM maize but does not extend to products derived from GMOs such as soya meal and corn gluten.
A de facto moratorium banning new GMO releases will remain in place. The ban was established in June 1999. Other issues such as liability, labelling and traceability through the feed and food chain have yet to be dealt with in legislation.
Until this area is dealt with, sources within the Parliament say there could be no question of lifting the moratorium. It is believed that could take another two years at least - the new directive allows for the release for GMOs but will make it more difficult to get GMO approvals.
In a debate in the parliament, Green MEP Ms Nuala Ahern, said the ban would remain because new GM approvals were not acceptable until an adequate EU biosafety framework had been completed and implemented by all member-states.
"The new directive will also require all locations of GMO releases to be recorded on a public register," she said.