Proposed Council Decision concerning the provisional prohibition of the use and sale in Greece of genetically modified spring swede rape (Brassica napus L. ssp. oleifera) derived from transformation e

Brussels, Apr 2005

Proposal for a
COUNCIL DECISION concerning the provisional prohibition of the use and sale in Greece of genetically modified spring swede rape (Brassica napus L. ssp. oleifera) derived from transformation event Topas 19/2, pursuant to Directive 2001/18/EC
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EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

1. Concerning the placing on the market of genetically modified spring swede rape (Brassica napus L. ssp. oleifera) derived from transformation event Topas 19/2, it has been decided by Commission Decision 98/291/EC of 22 April 1998, pursuant to Council Directive 90/220/EEC , that consent shall be given for the placing on the market of the product.

2. On 9 June 1998 the authorities of the United Kingdom granted consent for the placing on the market of that product.

3. Pursuant to Article 35(1) of Directive 2001/18/EC which replaced Directive 90/220/EEC procedures in respect of notifications concerning the placing on the market of genetically modified organisms which have not been completed by 17 October 2002 are subject to the provisions of Directive 2001/18/EC .

4. In accordance with Article 16 of Directive 90/220/EEC , the Greek authorities informed the Commission on 3 November 1998 of their decision to provisionally prohibit the use and sale of the genetically modified spring swede rape in question and gave reasons therefore.

5. The Scientific Committee on Plants considered that the information submitted by Greece did not constitute new relevant scientific evidence which had not been taken into account during the original evaluation of the dossier and which would occasion a review of its original opinion on this product.

6. On 5 March 2004 Greece submitted to the Commission additional information in support of its national measures concerning spring swede rape derived from transformation event Topas 19/2.

7. The European Food Safety Authority considered that the information submitted by Greece did not constitute new scientific evidence which would invalidate the environmental risk assessment of spring swede rape derived from transformation event Topas 19/2 and therefore would justify a prohibition of the use and sale of this product in Greece.

8. Under such circumstances Article 23 of Directive 2001/18/EC requires the Commission to take a decision in accordance with the procedures laid down in Article 30(2) of the Directive to which Articles 5 and 7 of Decision 1999/468/EC shall apply, having regard to the provisions of Article 8 thereof.

9. Since both the Scientific Committee on Plants as well as the EFSA considered that the product did not constitute a risk to human health or the environment the Commission prepared a draft Decision asking Greece to repeal its measures concerning spring swede rape derived from transformation event Topas 19/2.

10. The draft Decision was submitted, in accordance with Article 5(2) of Decision 1999/468/EC , for opinion, to the Committee set up under Article 30 of Directive 2001/18/EC . 11. No opinion was delivered by the Committee, following its consultation, on 29 November 2004, which requires that, the Commission, in accordance with Article 5(4) of Decision 1999/468/EC , shall, without delay, submit to the Council a proposal relating to the measures to be taken and shall inform the European Parliament.

12. Article 5(6) of Decision 1999/468/EC provides that the Council may, where appropriate in view of any such position, act by qualified majority within a period set at three months in accordance with Article 30(2) of Directive 2001/18/EC . If within that three-month period, the Council has indicated by qualified majority that it opposes the proposal, the Commission shall re-examine it; whereas if, on expiry of that period the Council has neither adopted the proposed implementing act nor indicated its opposition, then the proposed implementing act shall be adopted by the Commission.

Brussels, 26.4.2005 COM(2005) 164 final Previous Item Back to Titles Print Item