Commission perplexed by French attitude to GMOs

摘要

The European Commission does not seem to know which route to take on the issue of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). For months, it has been postponing several decisions awaited by the European biotechnology lobby and its President, Jose Manuel Barroso, has now decided to suspend any further initiatives pending another policy debate by the 27 commissioners and the preparation of a strategy. This debate could take place in late January or early February.rnWhile France previously formed part of the group of abstentionists, being neither overtly hostile to nor resolutely in favour of transgenics, it has now moved into the camp of anti-GMO countries, joining Poland, Greece and Austria. According to a senior official, the Commission did not expect the case of MON 810 maize to take on "such importance". Paris is of course entitled to invoke a safeguard clause to ban on its territory a transgenic that is authorised by thernEU, but such clauses are governed by very strict rules and must be accepted by the EU executive. They must in particular be based on solid and new scientific findings.