EU conflict on GM foods moratorium

The issue of a moratorium on the release of any new GM crops in Europe pending a radical overhaul of EU regulations is set to dominate a meeting of environment ministers in Luxembourg today.

A proposal by the Greek government that EU member-states sign a declaration saying they will reject any new applications until a new system is in place received further significant support yesterday, with France, Luxembourg and Denmark indicating backing for such a move. Austria was also expected to support it.

Consumer concern across Europe about GM foods is likely to make reaching agreement difficult as the Environment Council attempts to tighten safety checks and set clear timetables for approval of GM products, while ensuring transparency in the decision-making process. An all-night sitting was anticipated in an effort to break the impasse.

The German presidency is to propose the establishment of a central EU body to approve GM crops. This may attract the support of states with a strong biotechnology sector, but not a majority. It is understood the Government was closely examining the German position throughout yesterday but negotiating positions were described as "volatile", with many states yet to indicate their likely stance.

The Irish position has been complicated by a public consultation process which the Minister for the Environment, Mr Dempsey, is committed to. An independent chairing panel headed by Dr Turlough O'Donnell QC has yet to complete its report on two national debates held earlier this month, but yesterday gave the Minister "indication of their thinking", sources within his Department confirmed.

Mr Dempsey has underlined his commitment to the process, and to seeing it through before arriving at a definitive position. The panel report is considered a key input to the process but there was never any commitment to make its recommendations binding. It is believed he is unlikely to adopt a stance at the meeting that would pin him into a position before receiving a final report.

The so-called "Greek declaration" allows the issue of a moratorium to be discussed, according to Genetic Concern, and is an opportunity for the Government to deliver on a pre-election promise by Fianna Fail to ban GM food development. Its spokeswoman, Ms Sadhbh O'Neill, added: "Having promised a moratorium in 1997 (including approved GM maize and soya varieties), the Minister ruled out this option at the so-called public consultation process even though a limited moratorium is back on the EU agenda via the declaration."

Even if a common decision cannot be reached, there is little chance for any further approvals within the next year, according to Greenpeace spokesman Mr Benny Haerlin. If "the Commission and GMO hard-liners, Germany and Britain", tried to force further approvals, it would lead to a wave of national bans, he said.