home news forum careers events suppliers solutions markets expos directories catalogs resources advertise contacts
 
Forum Page

Forum
Forum sources  
All Africa Asia/Pacific Europe Latin America Middle East North America
  Topics
  Species
 

Frédérique Ries, Belgian member of the ALDE group: It should not be up to courts to decide on GMO bans


Brussels, Belgium
January 13, 2015

Legislation should be decided by lawmakers, not courts, according to Frédérique Ries. On 13 January MEPs approved new rules enabling member states to restrict or ban the cultivation of GMOs, even if approved by the EU. Ries, a Belgian member of the ALDE group who steered the proposal through the EP, said the changes were needed as countries kept being taken to court to justify why they had banned a certain GMO crop: " I don't think it's a good idea that legislation is being created by courts."

How will this legislation affect consumers, farmers and the environment?

This directive is mostly directed at member states, as it gives them more options to ban or restrict the cultivation of GMOs on their territory. 

Famers will have to comply with whatever their government decides. If their government opts for a ban on GMOs, then the farmer won't be able to cultivate them. I hope that when the legislation is updated, there will be an obligation to compensate farmers who are affected by this.

Concerning the environment, the new rules are aimed at further reducing the risk of cross-contamination.

Why was it necessary to change the European legislation on GMOs?

This directive is in response to Europeans' growing concerns about GMOs, as shown by Eurobarometer surveys.

As a democrat, I don't think it's a good idea that legislation is being created by courts. Member states were taken to court, where they lacked sufficient legal arguments for supporting their plans to ban GMOs. Even the European Commission was taken to court over the time it took to get the new [genetically modified maize] Pioneer approved.

With this proposal it is again lawmakers who are responsible for creating legislation.

What do you think Europe's GMO market will be like in five years' time?

This directive is not about products, but only about their cultivation. Large quantities of animal feed containing GMOs are imported into the EU. However, this hasn't been addressed by this proposal, nor was transport or research.

I think it will mainly affect transparency, reduce conflicts of interests and lead to better management.

The proposal will still need to be approved by the Council as well. If that happens, it will enter into force immediately.



More news from: European Union


Website: http://europa.eu

Published: January 13, 2015



SeedQuest does not necessarily endorse the factual analyses and opinions
presented on this Forum, nor can it verify their validity.

 

 

12 books on plant breeding, classic, modern and fun
 

12 livres sur l'amélioration des plantes : classiques, modernes et amusants

 
 

The Triumph of Seeds

How Grains, Nuts, Kernels, Pulses, and Pips Conquered the Plant Kingdom and Shaped Human History

By Thor Hanson 

Basic Books

 
 

 

 

Hybrid
The History and Science of Plant Breeding
 

Noel Kingsbury
The University of Chicago Press

 

 
1997-2009 archive
of the FORUM section
.

 


Copyright @ 1992-2024 SeedQuest - All rights reserved