During the debate, Members of the European Parliament were divided on whether the legislation should make the procedure easier or more difficult for companies to receive approval for genetically modified products, but eventually passed an amendment to make GMO approvals open-ended.
Scientist genetically modifies a fruit tree crop.
This is a shot in the arm for the industry, which has lobbied hard to remove the Commission's proposal that authorisations should be reviewed every seven years. It will go to the full Parliament next month. The committee's European People's Party members felt that the report, drafted by UK Socialist David Bowe, did not go far enough in simplifying the system for industry. On the other side of the political spectrum, the Green party called for an outright ban on this type of GMO, a proposal that won little support in the committee. The Greens said they would re-table their main amendments at the full parliamentary session.