July 7, 2008
GM concerns in EU rise as France assumes EU presidency
A review of the EU's procedures for vetting GM crops does not imply the policy will undergo far-reaching change, a French environment minister said Friday (July 4, 2008).
"We are not fundamentally questioning the European system, or looking to overhaul procedure," said Nathalie Kosciusko-Morizet, secretary of state for ecology, at an informal meeting of the EU's 27 environment and energy ministers outside Paris.
Her remarks comes at a time when France assumes the rotating presidency among the EU. The country called earlier this year for a review of GMO policy. The country has also banned the growing of one GM crop variety produced by Monsanto, the only GM crop grown within the EU, mainly in Spain.
While acknowledging that certain "concerns have emerged," she said the overall aim was to improve rules already in place.
"There remain doubts, about an insufficient number of evaluation and long-term impacts, and a need for more transparency," she told journalists during a break in the meetings.
Opinion polls show most Europeans have health fears or environmental GM concerns.
A new working group was set up at the meeting Friday, and is scheduled to deliver its findings in December.
