Genetically modified organisms GMOs: deliberate release into the environment (repeal. Directive 90/220/EEC)

In adopting the report by Mr. David Robert BOWE (PES, Uk), the European Parliament approved the legislative resolution on the Council common position for adopting a European Parliament and Council Directive on the deliberate release into the environment of genetically modified organisms and repealing Council Directive 90/220/EEC. This report was subject to amendments which relate to: - respecting the requirements of the Cartegena Biosafety Protocol concluded in Montreal in January 2000; - the introduction of EU-wide environment liability rules to provide wide-ranging regulation of possible cases of damage. In addition, the Commission will, after discussion with the European Parliament and the Council, bring forward a proposal, before the end of 2001, which shall include the impact of biotechnology on all areas of the Euoepan Union; - risk-assessments: these should be made of the accumulated long-term effects associated with granting consent and releasing any new genetically modified organism. The accumulated long-term effects should also form a compulsory part of the monitoring process; - the need for necessary resources to be secured to carry out research and the right for independent researchers to be given access to all relevant material; - regulations to ensure that risk assessment, risk management, labelling, monitoring as appropriate, information to the public and safeguard clauses are equivalent to those laid down in this Directive: these should be implemented in cooperation with the relevant authorities responsible for implementation of this Directive in the Commission and the Member States; - the Commission conducting a study of the possibility of centralised monitoring of the release of GMOs; - the intention of studies to be carried out annually of the likely socio-economic costs and benefits of the proposed deliberate release/market authorisation; - the identification and phasing out of antibiotic resistance markers by 2005; - the exportation of GMOs and/or products containing GMOs to non-Member States: the exporter or importer must obtain consent to the import from the country of destination and export authorisation from the authority of the competent Member State. In addition, the country of destination must give its consent to the import before the authority of the competent Member State can issue its authorisation. Furthermore, the Commission shall bring forward a legislative proposal for implementing in detail the Cartegena Protocol on Biosafety within 6 months of signature. It shall also take the necessary measures to ensure that these consultation procedures are conducted under clear rules of openness and transparency with full public access. In conclusion, a new paragraph was introduced which relates to the general principle for environmental risk assessment. This shall also be an assessment/analysis of the "accumulated long-term effects". The term "accumulated long-term effects" refers to the accumulated effects of all consents on natural flora, other crops, soil fertility, soil degradation of organic material, the food chain, biological diversity, human health and resistance problems in relation to antibiotics.�