Brussels, 15 September 2006
The Council is due to vote on a proposal from the Commission to authorise a genetically modified oilseed rape (known as Ms8xRf3) for import and processing in the EU. The oilseed rape has been genetically modified for tolerance to the herbicide glufosinate-ammonium. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) concluded that, for import and processing, there was no evidence of risks to human health or the environment.
Following the failure of the Regulatory Committee to reach a qualified majority in favour or against the Commission’s proposal, the proposal was referred to Council, who must now vote on it. The Council can either adopt or reject the decisions with a qualified majority. If no qualified majority is reached, the file will come back to the Commission for final adoption.
This oilseed rape has been thoroughly evaluated under the strict procedure set out in the new regulatory framework on the release of GMOs, adopted by Council and Parliament (Directive 2001/18 ). The Commission’s proposal to approve Ms8xRf3 is thus part of its duty to make sure that this legal framework is correctly and fully applied by Member States.
Item source: MEMO/06/329 Date: 15/09/2006