EU Assembly Favors Conditional Use of Gene-Modified ProductsThe European Parliament on Wednesday voted for tough restrictions on the use of genetically modified (GM) food products, paving the way for the 15-nation bloc to lift its three-year ban on licensing new GM products.The proposal was passed in the Parliament by 338 to 52 with 85 abstentions. The new rules include the clear labeling and strict monitoring of GM foods, feeds, seeds and pharmaceuticals. A public registry was also set up, which will allow consumers to trace the products. "With this vote consumers can have confidence that GM products licensed for sale in the European Union (EU) have met the toughest standards in the world," said British lawmaker David Bowe. The new rules will now be presented to the EU's decision-making Council of Ministers for final approval, a procedure expected to take some 18 months. Since 1999, new varieties of GM crops have been subject to a de facto ban in the EU because of safety fears and public resistance to accepting GM foods. The European consumers are worried about the possible health risks from GM products. There have been protests against GM foods across Europe, particularly in France and Britain. David Bowe, who proposed the legislation, said the vote was necessary if Europe was to hold its own in biotechnology. "This is a unique agreement. We are cutting through red tape because industry cannot wait forever. We must keep Europe in the fast lane on biotechnology," he said. |
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