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Europe Approves Tough GM Food Rules
Strict rules governing the marketing and production of genetically modified food have been approved by European politicians.
The European Parliament voted for the new measures, called the "toughest GMO legislation in the world", by 338-to-52 on Wednesday, with 85 abstentions.
The new rules include stricter labeling and monitoring of genetically altered foods, feeds, seeds and pharmaceutical products.
Under the rules, the implanting of antibiotics in plant genes, which could cause allergic reaction in consumers of the altered product, will be phased out over a period of eight years.
A public registry where consumers can trace genetically modified foods will also be created.
The rules must still be endorsed by the 15 EU governments and parliaments, which may take 18 months.
Officials guaranteed that the moratorium would remain in place in the meantime.
Several EU governments -- notably France, Italy and Greece -- question the safety of genetically modified foods.
It was not immediately clear what would happen if the one of the member nations fails to endorse the legislation.
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