转基因在欧洲的种植：十年的法律战

~~GMO cultivation in Europe: A decade of legal battles

Published: 08/08/2014 - 09:58

The European Union has agreed on a new approach to the cultivation of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) which allows member states to ban or restrict GMOs in their territory. The agreement should mark the end of a decade of legal problems, but in the context of ongoing EU-US free trade negotiations, vocal GMO opposition from member states and civil society is unlikely to subside.

The European Union has the strictest rules on Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) in the world.

After a decade of legal battles, the European Union reached an agreement in June 2014, allowing its member states to restrict or ban GMO crops in their territory.

The new president of the Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, has backed the new comprehensive legal framework which will give EU member states a legal basis they have been wanting for years.

The EU regulatory system is based on tight safety standards and freedom of choice for consumers and farmers. The tools used to ensure freedom of choice are effective labelling and traceability.

There are two key rules which govern GMOs in the EU (link to overview): a directive  used for the authorisation of GMO products in EU and regulation used on food and feed made from GMO products that have been authorised.