Articles

On 27 February 2015, MEP José Bové asked the European Commission concerning "New biotechnology techniques".

EC laws on genetic engineering are based on the principles of precaution, transparency and traceability. In accordance with the definition laid down in Directive 2001/18/EC, which is based on these principles, new biotechnology techniques must be considered to be techniques which produce GMOs. The (unanimous) conclusions of the Environment Council meeting of December 2008 talk about strengthening the environmental risk assessment in relation to the use of GMOs as a whole. Given the emergence of new biotechnology techniques and the definition of GMOs in Directive 2001/18/EC:

1. Can the Commission confirm that the GMOs resulting from new genetic engineering techniques are covered by Directive 2001/18/EC?

2. Does it intend to exclude some of these techniques from the scope of Directive 2001/18/EC, and if so, why?

3. Will it continue to regulate both the techniques and the resulting products, in accordance with the European legislation in force?

4. Does it plan to propose regulating only the products obtained, irrespective of the technique used?

On 15 April 2015, answered Mr Andriukaitis on behalf of the Commission concerning "New biotechnology techniques".

1. The Commission is carrying out a legal analysis to clarify whether new biotechnology techniques, applicable to plant breeding, are falling under the scope of Directive 2001/18/EC.

2. The decision to include or exclude a technique from the scope of Directive 2001/18/EC depends on the interpretation of the definition of Genetically Modified Organisms and of the conditions for exemption provided for in the directive. This analysis is currently ongoing and results cannot be anticipated yet.

3 and 4. The aim of the legal analysis that the Commission is undertaking is to ensure that the GMO legal framework in force is applied to all products falling within its scope.