by Marie Kauna – EMTV Online, Port Moresby
In April, a proposal by EU Commission on the ban of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) was presented giving the member states the power to ban the use of GMO both in human and animal food products.
On July 13 this year, a meeting held in Brussels gathered ministers to discuss the proposal. During this meeting, European Union Agriculture Members gathered raised concerns and criticised the proposal, saying it was incomplete, impractical and unnecessary.
Again on the same matter, a concern was raised recently on the September 3 from the agriculture commission on this proposal.
According to critics, “the proposal would be compatible with the EUs rules on free movement of goods, and that national governments would have no way to enforce the ban.”
Despites criticism erupting from various ministers and relevant governments, the EU commission is urgign member states to find a way of enforcing the ban by detecting the GMO in products that are on the market.
According to a Polish diplomat, “this proposal is putting all the weight on the member stated to decide, but is not giving us the tools to enforce, without breaking the internal market ruled. The logic is fine, but the tools are lacking.”
The proposed ban is still yet to become a law, as it needs support from the European parliament and national government before coming into effect. At present, it is still at the review stage.
