National governments are expected to decide whether to allow genetically modified (GM) crop cultivation on their land. The European Union has established a legal framework regulating GM food and feed in the EU to ensure that the development of modern biotechnology, especially GMOs, takes place in complete safety. The overall objective of this framework ensures a high level of protection to human life, health and welfare, environment and consumer interests, while keeping in mind that the working of the internal market remains effective.
Recent proposals on crop cultivation by the Dutch and Austrian governments, currently under consideration by the European Commission, have won the backing of a number of Member States. However, disputes remain among other Member States as well as among European environmental organisations and public interest groups, predominantly about the fact that a range of products which are considered safe for use in the EU are, at the same time, banned in some of the Member States due to political considerations. These changes, if effected, may somehow modify the EU’s legislative framework. The co-decision procedure with the European Parliament is required for such legislative changes.
It is well known that the consumption, processing and cultivation of GM foods are highly contested subjects among the countries and all involved in this sector. The main reason for this is that this relatively new technology in the agricultural sector is still the subject of scientific controversy. Those who argue in favour of GMOs insist that such food ensures an adequate supply to the world population. Moreover, farmlands cultivating GM food products are already in existence. Until now only two crops have been cleared for cultivation in the EU. Some argue that this policy is not realistic and needs to change in order to allow for the expansion of this industry and to decrease the level of imports.
Statistics show that over nine years, the EU imported an equivalent of 32 million tonnes of soybeans per year, mostly coming from GM plants. However, environmental organisations continuously argue that genetically modified seeds are dangerous, considering that they are at the beginning of the agricultural chain, and can easily be spread and contaminate the fields of those peasants and farmers who oppose them. These campaigns are raising more awareness about the European Union’s tolerance towards “accidental or technically unavoidable” contamination of conventional seed with GM varieties.
Since 2004, the EU has sought to approve a Directive allowing for a very small percentage of GM organisms in maize and oilseed rape seed without the need of being labelled. However, this was not accepted by many organic farmers and environmental organisations. As a result, the European Commission withdrew its proposal.
In general, the Maltese authorities have felt the need for clearer and objective criteria, by means of the adoption of a detailed policy in relation to applications for authorisation under EU legislation on GMOs. This set of criteria, now adopted, are in conformity with the Council Conclusions of 2008 under the French Presidency, where a specific reference was made to islands, as well as with last December’s Council Conclusions under the Swedish Presidency.
Ms Azzopardi is Research Analyst at the Malta-EU Steering and Committee (MEUSAC)
