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N e w s - F u l l S t o r y :
EU lifts ban on GMOs, but not entirely WebPosted Fri Feb 16 17:04:22 2001 BRUSSELS-- The European Union has ended
it's ban on new genetically modified organisms, but with some conditions
attached.
However, each country has been given 18 months to implement the new laws and
each country has the right to continue the ban.
Six countries – France, Italy, Denmark, Austria, Luxembourg and Greece –
say they won't be lifting the ban.
They said they would block new GMO permits until even stricter rules are put
in place. Specifically, they want guidelines ensuring GM products can be traced
back to their source.
The European Union has only authorized about a dozen GMO's, mostly corn and
soy.
The concept of "traceability" could take another year or more to
draft into law.
The holdout by six countries has pleased environmental group Greenpeace which
has called for a complete ban on GMOs.
France, in particular, is spearheading a campaign to have companies legally
liable for any damage their products cause to the environment.
Genetically altered foods are viewed with suspicion in Europe. In Britain,
supermarkets have pulled biotech products from shelves.
"The new GM directive will not protect consumers, farmers or the
environment," said Adrian Bebb of Friends of the Earth.
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