Parliament Moves To Give Member States New Powers To Ban GMO Cultivation

摘要

The European Parliament this week took the second of three steps required to pass new legislation that will grant member states of the European Union new powers to ban or restrict the cultivation of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) for a broad range of reasons not relating to health and safety. The first step was the Dec. 10 approval of the legislation by the permanent representatives committee (coreper), representing the member states at a level below ministers. At the coreper meeting, "very few" member states indicated that they would abstain when the council of ministers formally approves the legislation as the third and final step. In addition, no member state opposed the text at the meeting. A qualified majority of member states, which means at least 16 member states representing at least 65 percent of the EU population, is needed to approve the measure.