GMO authorisations

The Greens/EFA group has written to incoming Commission president Juncker (1) asking that he intervene to ensure there are no new authorisations of genetically modified organisms by the outgoing European Commission. The initiative comes on the back of news that EU trade commissioner De Gucht is seeking to secure 8 new GMO authorisations, with a view to convincing the United States authorities to ease restrictions on some imports from the EU. Commenting on the initiative, Greens/EFA co-presidents Rebecca Harms and Philippe Lamberts said:

"We are alarmed by reports that the outgoing Commission is seeking to rush through 8 new GMO authorisations, perhaps as early as tomorrow. Given the scale of opposition to these highly controversial crops from EU governments and the public, it would be grossly irresponsible of this lame-duck Commission to wave through new GMOs exports to the EU market. While it may be legally possible, it would be a scandal politically.

"Incoming Commission president Juncker has made clear he will be taking a different approach with regard to GMO authorisations. We believe he needs to intervene politically to ensure there are no new authorisations by the outgoing European Commission."

(1) Click for a copy of the letter