Dalli gives up on single GM policy

WHAT DALLI PROPOSED

Communication explaining the Commission's approach to genetically modified organisms;
Recommendation on ‘co-existence', allowing member states to take immediate action to avoid unintended presence of GM crops in conventional farms;
Proposal to re-draft 2001 directive on EU rules for approving GM crops for cultivation.

REACTIONS

“What Europe needs at the international level is more cohesion, not less. This proposal adds only a dose of chaos.”

José Bove, the one-time anti-globalisation protester, now a French Green MEP, says Europe needs one policy on GM.

“What next? Do we give up on trying to agree a community patent or allow member states to set their own fishing quotas? This is a sad day for European integration.”
Guy Verhofstadt, the leader of the Liberal group in the Parliament, fears a dangerous precedent has been set.

“This is a rare example of the Commission handing the decision-making process back to the member states. This is as it should be.”
Julie Girling, a British Conservative MEP, says only national governments should decide whether to permit or ban GM crops.