Hi Douglas and all,
Here is some more info on the EU dir. 90/220 revision and GE liability. The fact that it goes back
to the EU government council does not give me much hope, but we will have to see what they will come
up with and what they mean with "horizontal liability approach". It better not mean horizontal
liability transfer.
cheers
wytze
> COMMISSIONER WALLSTROM WELCOMES EP ENDORSEMENT OF STRICTER AND MORE
> TRANSPARENT EU RULES FOR GMOS
> April 12, 2000
> European Commission
> DN: IP/00/374
> Brussels -- Commissioner Wallstrom welcomes EP endorsement of stricter and
> more transparent EU rules for GMOs
> Commenting on today's vote Margot Wallstrom EU Environment Commissioner
> stated: "The European Parliament has contributed to ensuring that we get a
> much more balanced and effective framework for risk assessment and approval
> of GMO products in the future. This vote is crucial to realising the
> potential of biotechnology in Europe, while at the same time managing and
> reducing risks related to this new technology. It responds to the concerns
> of many European citizens."
> She added: "GMO legislation must provide a high level of protection for
> human health and the environment, and at the same time allow society to
> profit from the benefits of these new technologies. We need transparent
> rules for approval, a wide dialogue and strong political leadership to
> ensure this. European institutions, the Member States, Industry and Science
> all have to take their responsibilities, and the general public, and not
> only the experts, must be properly consulted".
> The Commission has declared its intention to accept a number of amendments
> to the Common Position of the Council. These include amendments on:
> - the need to submit the appropriate Proposals for the implementation of the
> Biosafety Protocol when ratified
> - transmission of new information to the public and possibilities of the
> public to comment
> - the importance of presenting proposals for legislation on a horizontal
> liability regime for environmental damage by 2001
> - the phase-out of antibiotic resistance marker genes by 2005
> - obligations to ensure that the implications of gene transfer are
> accurately assessed on a case-by-case basis.
> Liability
> The Commission welcomes the fact that the Parliament chose to refrain from
> introducing rules on environmental liability, which are specific to GMOs.
> The Commission indeed believes that a horizontal approach to liability is
> the most efficient way to guarantee a comprehensive responsibility regime
> for environmental damage. This will provide clarity for complainants and
> prevent loopholes. This is also the best way to complement the existing
> horizontal system for product liability already covering GMOs. Commissioner
> Wallstrom has stated her intention to present a proposal for legislation on
> liability before the end of 2001.
> The Commission was either not in a position to endorse amendments, or
> requires further clarification on the following points:
> Biosafety Protocol export/import obligations
> The implications of the Protocol on the overall EU legislative framework
> must be fully assessed first. However, the Commission holds the view that
> the new Directive should not include provisions on import and export
> obligations in this revision.
> Pharmaceuticals
> The Commission has doubts about excluding pharmaceuticals from the scope of
> the Directive. In certain circumstances these products may have
> environmental implications. It is therefore appropriate that the general
> obligations of the Directive on risk assessment apply to these products.
> Time limitation The Commission will further consider the concerns raised by
> the Parliament on time limitation of consent.
> Margot Wallstrom concluded: "The new rules will help to restore both public
> and market confidence. The European institutions must now work together to
> finalise this important piece of legislation rapidly".
>
> Mark Ritchie, President
> Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy
> 2105 First Ave. South
> Minneapolis, Minnesota 55404 USA
> 612-870-3400 (phone) 612-870-4846 (fax)
> cell phone 612-385-7921
> mritchie@iatp.org www.iatp.org
>
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