Note from Denmark and Austria on GMOS in Seed

Brussels, 23 Apr 2004

Full text of Document 8689/04
Suite of documents 8689/04

The European Union has made a great effort to secure the safety and freedom of choice of consumers with respect to genetically modified organisms. An important step has been the elaboration of regulations on traceability and labelling. These rules are now being applied in full.

In order to secure the basis for the new regulations, it is also important to establish clear rules for GMOs in seed. Studies carried out in Denmark and Austria on co-existence between genetically modified, conventional and organic crops have shown that the contents of GMOs in seed have considerable influence on the possibility of ensuring co-existence.

Therefore the Danish and Austrian delegations call upon the Commission to put forward as soon as possible a new proposal with respect to labelling and the contents of GMOs in seed. In order to secure the best possible conditions for co-existence, Denmark and Austria find that thresholds in any forthcoming proposal should be set at detection level (0.1%).

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