European Commissioner John Dalli’s position on the future of genetically modified crops is drawing increasingly widespread criticism, casting serious doubts on whether he will manage to get the green light.
A spokesman for the Belgian Presidency of the EU admitted during a recent technical meeting that there was “huge opposition” from many member states, although for differing reasons.
During the meeting, member states’ representatives held their first discussion on the Commission’s proposal to start allowing individual member states to decide whether to allow, restrict or ban the cultivation of GMOs in their country.
For this proposal to be approved, Mr Dalli would need the support of member states and the European Parliament.
Germany, the biggest EU member, is said to be leading the opposition with Chancellor Angela Merkel intervening directly on the issue and saying the plan would be the first step at dismantling the EU’s single market. France, which also carries a lot of political clout, is also against the proposal.
Apart from many member states, the proposal is also drawing criticism from other quarters including farmers and the biotech industry itself.
In a letter sent to the Belgian Presidency, EU farm group Copa-Cogeca, food and drink industry confederation CIAA, and biotech lobby EuropaBio shot down the initiative and expressed their “deep concern”.
“The new approach on GM cultivation sets a dangerous legal precedent, jeopardising the internal market for authorised products,” the letter said.
“Letting member states decide on GM crops will create new legal and commercial risks for operators.”
Even the US, the main promoter of GMOs, has criticised the Commission’s new approach, fearing the proposals are unlikely to conform to internationally recog-nised scientific standards on GM crops.
A top official at the US Trade Department was quoted as saying the US could be prepared to challenge the new rules if adopted by the EU.
Sources close to the Belgian Presidency told The Times that following its first soundings “it appears very likely that Mr Dalli’s position will not make the grade”.
“Although EU ambassadors are expected to start the political debate on the issue in September it is already clear that the Commission’s proposals will not go very far,” the sources said.
Malta’s position is not yet known although the island has so far always taken a position against GMOs.
When presenting his proposal last month, Mr Dalli denied claims he was trying to push GMOs into the EU market or to make a trade-off with member states for a more liberal authorisation process of GMOs. He said he just wanted to give member states more freedom.
Just three weeks after being appointed Commissioner, Mr Dalli had approved the cultivation of a new GM potato for industrial purposes, the first such decision in 13 years. He was accused by the pro-environment lobby of pushing the interests of big business, a claim he denied.
The proposal put on the discussion table provides for an additional article in the current directive which explicitly allows member states to restrict or prohibit cultivation of GMOs on their territories.
Member states would be able to use any grounds to do so, other than those covered by the health and environmental risk assessment of the EU authorisation process.
Currently, the process of authorisation of GMOs in the EU is on a case-by-case basis and is almost completely stalled as member states are divided on whether this type of cultivation should be allowed or not.
Public opinion in Europe is generally against GM foods and its cultivation in Europe.