2005-07-19 | permalink
The Spanish government has proposed detailed rules for co-existence of GM and non-GM crops including minimum buffer zones of 50 m and authority for some additional regional measures. The decree also provides for a national survey and report the issue. It was strongly criticised by environment organisations, reports the US embassy, which obviously doesn't like these measures.</p><p><a href="http://www.fas.usda.gov/gainfiles/200507/146130388.pdf">FAS: US embassy attache report</a></p><p><a href="http://www.mapya.es/a_pag_principal/notas/pag.asp?codi=3116_AH190705">Government Press release and link to presentation (in Spanish)</a>
2005-07-18 | permalink
The European Commission warned three EU governments (France, Germany and Greece) to bring their national laws on genetically modified foods into line with EU law or face legal action at Europe's highest court.</p><p><a href="http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/05/947&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en"> Environmental infringements: Commission takes legal action against Germany and Spain</a></p><p><a href="http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/05/954&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en"> Greece: Commission takes action over breaches of environmental law</a></p><p><a href="http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/05/950&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en"> France: Commission takes further action in ten environmental infringement cases</a>
2005-07-11 | permalink
A plan by Cyprus to put genetically modified food on separate supermarket shelves angered the United States. Washington warned the move could harm bilateral ties. A vote on the bill has now been shelved until autumn.</p><p><a href="http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L06117419.htm">Reuters AlertNet - US says Cyprus ties could suffer over GMO plan</a></p><p><a href="http://www.cyprus-mail.com/news/main.php?id=20801&archive=1">Cyprus Mail: Greens' GM bill shelved until the Autumn</a>
2005-07-06 | permalink
The European Parliaments committee on environment and consumer protection invites informal expression of interest in a "Panel of Food Safety Experts" to advise on issues such as Genetically Modified Organisms, BSE/TSE and control of other biological hazards, Food additives, flavourings and other food improvement agents, Foods for particular nutritional uses and nutrition. The Committee is not looking for expertise in narrow areas of specialisation, but for good communicators who can provide clear and concise briefings for EP Members on the implications of new EU policy proposals. Deadline: 15th July.</p><p><a href="http://www.europarl.eu.int/comparl/envi/pdf/expert_panels/announcement_food_safety.pdf">EP announcement on Food Safety experts</a>
2005-07-01 | permalink
The regional parliament of Lower Austria has adopted a stringent GMO protection law, which requires regional approval and full publicity of any GM planting in the region and allows for plant specific restrictions to be imposed by the regional authority. The law had been notified to the EU Commission and not contested formally and will now enter into force. The parliament also decided to join the network of GMO free regions in Europe.</p><p><a href="http://www.noe.gv.at/service/politik/landtag/LandtagsvorlagenXVI/04/450/450G2.pdf">Niederösterreichisches Gentechnikvorsorgegesetz (text of the law in German)</a>
