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New rules
for biotech products enter into force
17-Oct-2002
Press Release by EuropaBio
BRUSSELS, 17
Oct. 2002 - Today, new rules governing the safety approval of field
trials and the growing of genetically modified (GM) crops in the
European Union come into force. Directive 2001/18/EC, approved in
April 2001 following a full debate amongst the European Commission,
the Member States and the European Parliament, builds on the existing
legislative framework. This Directive more clearly lays down the
requirements for the provision of information to the public, the
monitoring of possible long-term effects of growing modern
biotechnology derived crops, and the labeling and tracing of these GMOs.
“We
expect that this updated legislation will be immediately implemented
and that submissions made under the old rules and updated with the
necessary information to meet the requirements of the new Directive
will now be evaluated by the EU Regulatory authorities,” says
Simon Barber, Director, Plant Biotechnology Unit, EuropaBio. Of
course the commercial introduction of these crops will also be
dependent on other necessary approvals, for instance, with respect to
their safety as food.
Over the past
seven years many millions of farmers around the world have chosen to
grow new biotechnology derived crops because of the socio economic
and environmental benefits they provide. Only a very small number of
farmers in the EU, specifically farmers in Spain, have to date
experienced these same benefits. We anticipate that with this new
comprehensive and rigorous GM approval process now in place that more
European farmers and consumers will be able to benefit from the
innovative products of modern plant biotechnology.
For further
information, contact
Adeline
Farrelly, Communications Manager, EuropaBio
Tel: +32 2 735
0313 Mobile: +32 475 93 17 24
e-mail: a.farrelly@europabio.org
website: http://www.europabio.org
EuropaBio has
almost 40 corporate members operating worldwide and 20 national
biotechnology associations representing some 1200 SMEs involved in
research and development, testing, manufacturing and distribution of
biotechnology products. EuropaBio, the voice of European
bioindustries, aims to be a promoting force for biotechnology and to
present its proposals to industry, politicians, regulators, NGOs, and
the public at large.
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