The European Parliament and the Council of Ministers reached a final deal on the revision of the EU Directive on the release of GMOs in the environment in Strasbourg on 12 December. The text, which is to be adopted early next year, will include a new requirement for the right of the general public to access data on the location of all GMOs being grown for commercial purposes in the EU.
The compromise opens up the possibility of lifting the EU's de facto moratorium on the licencing of new GMOs. The agreement will enforce more public consultation and clearer labelling of genetically modified products, as well as periodical renewal of licences.
The Commission is preparing legislative proposals on traceability, labelling and producers' liability.
MEP Paul Lannoye, President of the Greens/EFA Group in the European Parliament, welcomed the agreement saying that the new rules are better for the protection of the environment and human health.
Monsanto welcomed the deal, saying that it provides more security on the legal framework side. "We hope that we can have a step forward on product approval," said a company representative in Brussels.
