NOAH-Genteknologi Tilbage
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT BANS GM FOOD!
Pressemeddelelse
Bruxelles/København, 16. december 1999
The European Parliament has banned
genetically modified (GM) food from all its restaurants and cafeteria,
Friends of the Earth (FoE) revealed today. According to information received
by FoE, the EP’s policy takes the form of an informal agreement between
the parliament and the catering companies. It is likely to be included
in the contracts concluded following the next invitation to tender.
The ban, which follows concerns
expressed by customers, is a further blow to the biotech industry which
has already seen confidence in the controversial technology plummet across
Europe. Friends of the Earth is now urging Members of the EP to remember
these concerns when they vote early next year on a new Directive determining
how strict the rules are for planting and importing GM crops (1).
The ban also highlights differences
between the European Parliament and the European Commission - which doesn't
have a ban. During the World Trade Organisation discussions in Seattle
earlier this month, the European Commission was widely criticised for trying
to include biotechnology and GM crops in the discussions, despite opposition
from a number of European Ministers. And earlier this week (Wednesday 15/12/99)
the European Parliament voted overwhelmingly in favour of a Resolution
tabled by its Environment Committee criticising a recent Commission’s proposal
concerning the labelling of genetically modified foods (2).
Gill Lacroix, Biotechnology Coordinator
at Friends of the Earth Europe said: "We are delighted that the European
Parliament has banned GM ingredients from its restaurants. Their decision
mirrors the concerns that are being expressed throughout Europe and beyond
about this technology. Our elected European politicians must do more to
ensure that European consumers can eat food safe in the knowledge that
it is not derived from genetically modified organisms. The European Commission
must also take note, and avoid making decisions that appear to favour the
biotech industry at the expense of European consumers. Unfortunately its
record so far has not been very encouraging".
Friends of the Earth Europe will
be launching a new European-wide GMO campaign in the New Year.
Yderligere information:
Gill Lacroix: FoE Europe Office,
Bruxelles, tlf. 00 32-2-542.0180/82
Neil Verlander, FoE London, tlf
00 44-171-566.1649 (24 hours)
Bo Normander, NOAH (FoE Denmark)
(1) In January 2000, the European Parliament will begin its second reading of a proposal to revise Directive 90/220/EEC regulating the deliberate release of genetically modified organisms.
(2) Jackson Resolution on Genetically
Modified Food Labelling : 510 MEPs in favour, 25 against, 6 abstentions.