GMO news related to the European Union

Around 500 ha of GM maize have been grown in the South-West of France with EU approved GMO varieties (Monsanto's Mon810). As there is no French law on GM growing and co-existence in place yet the growing appears to be legal. The public is taken by surprise.</p><p><a href="http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=scienceNews&storyID=2005-09-06T165944Z_01_MOL661056_RTRIDST_0_SCIENCE-FOOD-FRANCE-GMOS-DC.XML">Science Reuters: French farmers head for gene maize harvest</a></p><p><a href="http://www.lefigaro.fr/sciences/20050906.FIG0248.html?070442">Figaro: OGM : déjà un millier d'hectares en France</a>

After the EU Commission has ubber stamped imports of GM oilseed rape GT73 in August Irish farmers are concerned about their GM free status. The cattle and sheep farmers call for a national import ban on the GM rape seed.</p><p><a href="http://breakingnews.iol.ie/news/story.asp?j=154815916&p=y548y66zz">IOL: Farmers call for ban on imports of GM rape-seed oil</a>

A Pan Balkan Congress on 26-27 November 2005 is planned on the subject: "Biodiversity, rural growth for clean environment free of G.M.O. - GMO free Balkans" by various NGOs of the Region. A preparatory meeting will be held in Thessaloniki September 10th. Contact: nogmo_balkan_soon@yahoo.gr</p><p><a href="http://www.gmo-free-regions.org/Downloads/gmofree_balkan_announce.pdf">Announcement and invitation</a>

The European Commission has authorised the genetically modified oilseed rape GT73 for import and processing as animal feed. The authorisation is complemented by a recommendation to Monsanto on how to deal with accidental spillage if it should occur. 13 member states had voted against the approval, 6 in favour and 6 abstained. In June the Commission had to repeal an initial version of this authorisation for legal reasons.</p><p><a href="http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/05/1077&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en">Press release: GMOs: Commission authorises import of GM-oilseed rape for use in animal feed</a></p><p><a href="http://www.foeeurope.org/press/2005/HH_31_August_gmo.htm">Friends of the Earth: European Commission opens door to genetic contamination</a></p><p><a href="http://www.saveourseeds.org/dossier/fact_sheet_GT73.htm">Background: SOS Dossier on GT73</a></p><p><a href="http://www.gmo-free-regions.org/Downloads/nature_e_progres_1sept05.pdf">Nature et progres: Un non-sens environnemental, un non-sens économique (Fr)</a>

The European Commission has authorised the genetically modified oilseed rape GT73 for import and processing as animal feed. The authorisation is complemented by a recommendation to Monsanto on how to deal with accidental spillage if it should occur. 13 member states had voted against the approval, 6 in favour and 6 abstained. In June the Commission had to repeal an initial version of this authorisation for legal reasons.</p><p><a href="http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/05/1077&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en">Press release: GMOs: Commission authorises import of GM-oilseed rape for use in animal feed</a></p><p><a href="http://www.euractiv.com/Article?tcmuri=tcm:29-143619-16&type=News">EurActiv: European Commission approves GT73 amid safety doubts</a></p><p><a href="http://www.saveourseeds.org/dossier/fact_sheet_GT73.htm">Background: SOS Dossier on GT73</a>

Christian Ude, the mayor of Munich, Germany's second largest city and capital of Bavaria has officially signed the GMO free Regions petition.</p><p><a href="http://www.gmo-free-regions.org/petition.html">GMO free regions petition</a>

While the Hungarian minister for economics is a frequent traveler to the US and sees great potential for biotech in his country the majority even in his own government seems to have different viewpoints.</p><p><a href="http://www.budapestsun.com/full_story.asp?ArticleId=%7bE1098906E4EC469CA71C7F07BA2FF21F%7d&From=News">The Budapest Sun: Science is split on GMOs</a>

The Spanish government has proposed detailed rules for co-existence of GM and non-GM crops including minimum buffer zones of 50 m and authority for some additional regional measures. The decree also provides for a national survey and report the issue. It was strongly criticised by environment organisations, reports the US embassy, which obviously doesn't like these measures.</p><p><a href="http://www.fas.usda.gov/gainfiles/200507/146130388.pdf">FAS: US embassy attache report</a></p><p><a href="http://www.mapya.es/a_pag_principal/notas/pag.asp?codi=3116_AH190705">Government Press release and link to presentation (in Spanish)</a>

The European Commission warned three EU governments (France, Germany and Greece) to bring their national laws on genetically modified foods into line with EU law or face legal action at Europe's highest court.</p><p><a href="http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/05/947&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en"> Environmental infringements: Commission takes legal action against Germany and Spain</a></p><p><a href="http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/05/954&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en"> Greece: Commission takes action over breaches of environmental law</a></p><p><a href="http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/05/950&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en"> France: Commission takes further action in ten environmental infringement cases</a>

A plan by Cyprus to put genetically modified food on separate supermarket shelves angered the United States. Washington warned the move could harm bilateral ties. A vote on the bill has now been shelved until autumn.</p><p><a href="http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L06117419.htm">Reuters AlertNet - US says Cyprus ties could suffer over GMO plan</a></p><p><a href="http://www.cyprus-mail.com/news/main.php?id=20801&archive=1">Cyprus Mail: Greens' GM bill shelved until the Autumn</a>