Commission seeks to give countries greater freedom over GM

By Jennifer Rankin - 13.07.2010 / 16:29 CET

Proposals could make it easier to approve more GM varieties.

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Fact file

TIMELINE

2001 European Union agrees common rules on the cultivation of genetically-modified (GM) crops.

2003 EU agrees rules on GM food and feed, including requirements for GM produce and feed to be labelled and setting thresholds for unavoidable (“adventitious”) presence of GM ingredients or feed.

2006 World Trade Organization finds that EU operates a “de-facto ban” that is contrary to trade rules.

2008 Environment ministers call for more active role for member states in GM assessment process and more consideration of national and regional characteristics.

2009 European Commission President José Manuel Barroso highlights reform of GM approval system in his bid for re-nomination as Commission president.

March 2010 Commission announces that Amflora, a genetically-modified potato developed by BASF, can be grown in the EU for industrial use – the first GM variety approved since a Monsanto GM maize was approved in 1998.

July 2010 John Dalli, the European commissioner for health and consumer policy, outlines draft proposals to re-draw EU authorisation rules.