Europe steps closer to real powers to ban GM crops
Greenpeace Press release, April 12 2011
http://www.greenpeace.org/eu-unit/en/News/2011/Europe-steps-closer-to-real-powers-to-ban-GM-crops/

Brussels - A weak proposal to give European countries the right to ban the cultivation of genetically modified (GM) crops was strengthened today by the leading European Parliament committee.

The European Commission is willing to give countries the right to ban GM crops only if these bans are based on a limited number of reasons. These include cultural and moral arguments, which EU lawyers argue are too weak to be legally robust. Today, the environment committee voted to include grounds related to potential environmental impacts of GM crops. Greenpeace argues that these grounds are crucial if national bans are to be legally robust.

Greenpeace EU agriculture policy adviser Stefanie Hundsdorfer said: "The voice of reason prevailed today in parliament's environment committee. Environmental impacts are a major danger of GM crops and including these into law will help governments ban them from Europe's fields. Without these grounds, national bans would be in danger of being overturned by biotech companies in court."

The committee also voted:

*As a priority, the Commission and EU countries must implement the conclusions adopted by all environment ministers in 2008 on strengthening the EU's authorisation procedure for GM crops
*To have all countries take mandatory measures against GM contamination. In the event these measures fail, the committee voted in favour of having governments ensure that those responsible for the contamination pay damages.
*That biotech companies have to give access to the material necessary for independent research into GM risks.
*To change the legal basis of the draft law, from being rooted in internal market principles to environment ones.
*Against seed labelling proposals that could open the door to seed contamination.

Parliament is due to vote on the GM law in plenary on 7 June.

Ends

For comment on today's fisheries control announcement by the European Commission, please contact the Greenpeace EU press office on +32 (0)2 274 1903.

And for comment on today's Commission communication on power grids, please contact Frauke Thies on +32 (0)477 790415.