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05.10.2005 | permalink

European Court of Justice dismissed Upper Austrian GMO ban

The European Court of Justice today rejected a general GMO prohibition law of the Region of Upper Austria. Upper Austria wanted a total ban on cultivating genetically modified crops to protect conventional and organic crops, as well as wildlife, from potential contamination. In 2003 the EU Commission refused, arguing Austria had presented no new scientific evidence to support such a ban, and could not opt out of EU-wide rules of GMO risk assessment and approval. The Austrian complaint against the Commissions verdict has now been rejected by the Court. The government of the Region announced it would find other means to stay GMO free.
ECJ: Judgement Upper Austria vs. EU Commission
SOS update on Upper Austrian case against the EU Commission
Friends of the Earth: Commission urged to review EU law
Commission decision 2 September 2003
more details in German