“EU GMO proposal distorts internal feed market”

Members are concerned that the proposal might prove unworkable and lead to the reintroduction of border controls between pro and anti-GMO countries.

Conflicting with EU transparency

“A clear majority in the committee does not want to jeopardise the internal market. For us, the existing legislation should remain in place, and member states should shoulder their responsibilities and take a decision together at EU level, instead of introducing national bans”, said Environment Committee chair Giovanni La Via (EPP, IT). “This proposal conflicts with the principles of “better regulation” and transparency which the new European Commission has taken on board. After we spent so many years getting rid of internal barriers, this proposal could fragment the internal market and lead to a return to border inspections, which we all worked hard to get rid of at the time”, he added.

Feed industry also against proposal

COCERAL, FEDIOL and FEFAC, representing commodity collection and trade, oilseed crushing and compound feed manufacturing, welcome the Environment Committee’s firm approach. “The Committee’s rejection is a loud and clear step towards avoiding that the Commission’s proposal be adopted and is aligned with the opinion of the European Parliament’s Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI) Committee, which likewise advocated for a rejection on grounds that the proposal stands to distort competition in the internal market and endanger EU food production sectors that rely heavily on imports of GM feed”, the three parties voiced in a joint statement.

The Plenary of the Parliament is set to vote on the proposal on 28 October. Today’s rejection will serve as a basis for the discussions at Plenary.