Danish note concerning the co-existence of GMO crops and conventional and organic crops (link)

Brussels, 01 Oct 2004

Full text of Document 12834/04
Suite of documents 12834/04

Initiatives to ensure the co-existence of GMO crops and other crops, including the setting up of a European Task Force

In June 2004, Denmark informed all the Member States that legislation had been adopted in Denmark on the co-existence of GMO crops and conventional and organic crops.

At the same time, in a letter dated 18 June 2004, Denmark called on the Commission to set up a Task Force for such co-existence with the task, inter alia, of ensuring that the collection and dissemination of information be coordinated. The letter was also sent to all the Member States. A Task Force should also contribute towards identifying research requirements concerning co-existence. The need for such an initiative has been acknowledged (see introductory comments in Directive 2001/18/EC ).

In a letter dated 13 July 2004, the Commission expressed a favourable opinion and according to information it wanted to take steps to set up a coordinating network with tasks corresponding to those proposed. Further to Denmark's initiative a large number of Member States have said they are in favour of setting up such a unit at Community level. Denmark is looking forward to seeing the initiative put into practice.

Denmark considers it vital that common rules for such co-existence be laid down.

No agreement could be reached at the Commission meeting on 8 September 2004 on formulating a proposal for limit values labelling GMOs in seed. Subsequent press reports stated that the limit value for labelling GMOs in seed was 0% until other another figure was fixed. The Commission is asked to confirm this.

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