BRUSSELS, 17 Oct. 2002 - Today, new rules governing the safety approval of field trials and the growing of genetically modified (GM) crops in the European Union come into force.  Directive 2001/18/EC, approved in April 2001 following a full debate amongst the European Commission, the Member States and the European Parliament, builds on the existing legislative framework.  This Directive more clearly lays down the requirements for the provision of information to the public, the monitoring of possible long-term effects of growing modern biotechnology derived crops, and the labeling and tracing of these GMOs.

“We expect that this updated legislation will be immediately implemented and that submissions made under the old rules and updated with the necessary information to meet the requirements of the new Directive will now be evaluated by the EU Regulatory authorities,” says Simon Barber, Director, Plant Biotechnology Unit, EuropaBio.  Of course the commercial introduction of these crops will also be dependent on other necessary approvals, for instance, with respect to their safety as food.

Over the past seven years many millions of farmers around the world have chosen to grow new biotechnology derived crops because of the socio economic and environmental benefits they provide.   Only a very small number of farmers in the EU, specifically farmers in Spain, have to date experienced these same benefits.  We anticipate that with this new comprehensive and rigorous GM approval process now in place that more European farmers and consumers will be able to benefit from the innovative products of modern plant biotechnology.

   For further information, contact

Adeline Farrelly, Communications Manager, EuropaBio
Tel: +32 2 735 0313 Mobile: +32 475 93 17 24
e-mail: a.farrelly@europabio.org
website: http://www.europabio.org

EuropaBio has almost 40 corporate members operating worldwide and 20 national biotechnology associations representing some 1200 SMEs involved in research and development, testing, manufacturing and distribution of biotechnology products. EuropaBio, the voice of European bioindustries, aims to be a promoting force for biotechnology and to present its proposals to industry, politicians, regulators, NGOs, and the public at large.