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A European Union committee said Wednesday it had agreed to force Europe's laboratory to adopt international rules which will make increase transparency about its decisions on genetically modified organisms.</p><p><a href="http://www.checkbiotech.org/root/index.cfm?fuseaction=newsletter&topic_id=5&subtopic_id=25&doc_id=12749">checkbiotech.org</a>

From now on, in previously GM-free Slovakia, it should be possible to plant transgenic corn. Monsanto is ready for "experimental" planting.</p><p><a href="http://www.checkbiotech.org/root/index.cfm?fuseaction=newsletter&topic_id=1&subtopic_id=7&doc_id=12753">checkbiotech.org: Slovakia at the edge of a transgenic downfall</a>

The French arm of US biotech giant Monsanto said on Friday it would continue experiments on genetically modified crops in France despite a court ruling stopping some of its tests. On the same day around 100 environmental activists entered a factory belonging to Monsanto in southwest France aiming to destroy any genetically modified seeds.</p><p><a href="http://www.planetark.com/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/36239/story.htm">Reuters: Monsanto Continues French GMO Tests Despite Ruling</a></p><p><a href="http://www.planetark.com/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/36264/story.htm">Reuters: Anti-GMO Groups Enter French Monsanto Factory</a>

AGROLINK Association, GMO free Bulgaria coalition and Municipality of Satovcha announced the declaration of the first GMO free municipality in Bulgaria. The GMO free zone declaration commits the municipality administration to the extent of its legal and organisation powers, to cultivate no genetically modified organisms (GMOs) on municipality land.</p><p><a href="http://www.gmo-free-regions.org/fileadmin/files/Bulgaria_Satovcha_040506.pdf"></a>

BASF, the German agro-chemical multinational and the Irish government are facing massive public opposition to field trials with genetically engineered potatoes.</p><p><a href="http://www.gmfreeireland.org/potato/index.php">GMfree Ireland potato web-site with links to media, official and activity sites</a><p><p><a href="http://www.planetark.com/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/36256/story.htm">Reuters: Ireland Gives Go-Ahead for GMO Potato Trials</a>

Following a major coexistence conference held last month in Vienna, the EU ministers are expected to instruct the Commission to come up with specific growing guidelines for GMOs and thresholds for seed contamination. Swift action however is not expected.</p><p><a href="http://www.planetark.com/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/36241/story.htm">Reuters: EU Executive Faces Pressure to Deal With GMO Laws</a>

While the Italian Parliament passed a coexistence law in January 2005, it provided only the framework in which the Regions would develop their implementing regulations. Now the Italian Constitutional Court has ruled that Italy's Framework Law on Coexistence is unconstitutional.</p><p><a href="http://www.truthabouttrade.org/article.asp?id=5659">Truth about Trade</a>

On April 26th the municipal council of the town of Veles, Macedonia, declared its territory GMO free, including the prohibition of growing and production of GMOs, detailed provisions for controls and an mandate to demand similar action from the government of Macedonia.</p><p><a href="http://www.gmo-free-regions.org/news/veles_gmofree_declaration.doc">The GMO free declaration of Veles</a></p><p><a href="http://www.popovashapka.com/macedoniainfo/cities/city_veles.htm">More about the City of Veles</a>

Poland's upper house of parliament banned trade and plantings of genetically modified seeds on Thursday, increasing the risk of a conflict with Brussels for adopting legislation that breaks EU rules.</p><p><a href="http://www.planetark.com/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/36072/story.htm">Reuters</a>

Europe's leading food safety agency gave the green light on Wednesday for five genetically modified crops and foods that are banned in certain EU countries, saying they posed no risk to human or animal health.</p><p><a href="http://www.checkbiotech.org/root/index.cfm?fuseaction=newsletter&topic_id=6&subtopic_id=33&doc_id=12615">checkbiotech.org</a>