Environmental groups, farm lobby, and food and feed businesses criticise plan

The European Commission is considering giving member states an opt-out of EU level authorisations for GM food and feed imports, according to a report in ENDSEurope (access by subscription only).

The Commission is set to propose next week a similar approach to the authorisation of GM food and feed imports as agreed by lawmakers for the cultivation of GM crops last year.

This gave member states the right to ban the cultivation of GM crops after they have been authorised at EU level. The Commission is expected to table its review of the GMO decision-making process next week. It could include a legislative proposal to revise authorisation rules for GM imports.

Environmental groups criticised the plans on the grounds that it is unclear how any member state ban would hold up to the EU internal market rules or international trade agreements, reports ENDSEurope.

A coalition of food and feed businesses called on Commission President Juncker not to renationalise GM market authorisations. Farm lobby Copa-Cogeca warned that the proposal would have "severe economic and social impacts", which would "jeopardise the internal market for food and feed products leading to significant job losses" in opt-out countries.