MORE ON AUSTRIA'S CONCERNS:
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=4955
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BROAD SUPPORT IN THE COUNCIL FOR AUSTRIAN CONCERNS ON CULTIVATION OF GM MAIZE
http://eu.greenpeace.org/issues/news.html#050310_c

Brussels, 10 March 2005 -- Thirteen countries (Hungary, Germany, Sweden, Cyprus, Italy, Denmark, Belgium, Greece, Poland, Luxembourg, Malta, Slovenia and Slovakia) supported the Austrian criticism on the lack of environmental monitoring plan for Monsanto's genetically modified maize Mon810, authorised for cultivation in Europe.

Eric Gall from Greenpeace European Unit comments :

« A majority of Member States sent a very strong signal to the Commission that they should urgently change their policy on GMOs.

We are relieved to see that more and more Member States realise that the cultivation of GMOs should not be allowed and warn the Commission that the European legislation is neither complete nor properly implemented.

The new Commission will have a general debate on GMOs on 22 March. We hope that the present Commission has clearly understood the message and that it will seize the opportunity to adopt a much more responsible policy on GMOs than the previous Commission, in the interest of consumers and the environment. »

Contact:
Eric Gall, Greenpeace European Unit GMO policy advisor, tel +32 (0)496 161 582