EC proposes new GMO rules

The European Commission has adopted a legislative package that would establish a system for tracing GMOs through the production and distribution chain, while also adding to the types of products that require labeling. According to Health and Consumer Protection Commissioner David Byrne, the proposal looks to "ensure that the regulatory framework in the EU is up to the standard consumers expect." The proposed legislation must now go through the European Parliament and the European Council of Ministry and is expected to be in force no later than 2003, according to the EC.

Under the proposal, business operators will be obligated to transmit and retain information at each stage of production and distribution. Michael Phillips, executive director for food and agriculture at the Biotechnology Industry Organization ( S*BIO), said "You can do it, identify, preserve and trace everything, but it will be at a significant cost. You can't expect to do this as a normal course of any business." He suggested that if such costs are taken on by grain providers and farmers, ultimately they will be passed on to consumers. ...