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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>

The European Parliaments committee on environment and consumer protection invites informal expression of interest in a "Panel of Food Safety Experts" to advise on issues such as Genetically Modified Organisms, BSE/TSE and control of other biological hazards, Food additives, flavourings and other food improvement agents, Foods for particular nutritional uses and nutrition. The Committee is not looking for expertise in narrow areas of specialisation, but for good communicators who can provide clear and concise briefings for EP Members on the implications of new EU policy proposals. Deadline: 15th July.</p><p><a href="http://www.europarl.eu.int/comparl/envi/pdf/expert_panels/announcement_food_safety.pdf">EP announcement on Food Safety experts</a>

The regional parliament of Lower Austria has adopted a stringent GMO protection law, which requires regional approval and full publicity of any GM planting in the region and allows for plant specific restrictions to be imposed by the regional authority. The law had been notified to the EU Commission and not contested formally and will now enter into force. The parliament also decided to join the network of GMO free regions in Europe.</p><p><a href="http://www.noe.gv.at/service/politik/landtag/LandtagsvorlagenXVI/04/450/450G2.pdf">Niederösterreichisches Gentechnikvorsorgegesetz (text of the law in German)</a>

The city and region of Vienna has adopted June 29th a regional law on GMO planting and co-existence, which prohibits any GM planting without expressed consent of the regional government and enables the government to establish stringent requirements for such an approval. Vienna also decided to join the network of GMO free regional governments in Europe.</p><p><a href=""></a>