WRITTEN QUESTION No. 427/96 by Mary BANOTTI to the Commission. Genetically modified organisms
Date: 1996-02-29
Institutions: BANOTTI, European Parliament
Subjects: Council of the European Union, EC Directive, application of EU law, biotechnology, environmental protection, environmental risk prevention, genetic engineering, public health













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91996E0427

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 427/96 by Mary BANOTTI to the Commission. Genetically modified organisms  


Official Journal C 217 , 26/07/1996 P. 0038 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-0427/96 by Mary Banotti (PPE) to the Commission (29 February 1996)Subject: Genetically modified organismsIs the Commission satisfied that all Member States are fully applying the safety, control and approval procedures for genetically modified organisms (GMO) as set out in Directive 90/219/EEC ((OJ L 117, 8.5.1990, p. 1. ))?Does the Commission maintain a list of all GMOs released into the environment?Will the Commission monitor the long-term effects of GMOs on the environment?Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (11 April 1996)The Commission can inform the Honourable Member that most Member States have implemented Council Directive 90/219/EEC of 23 April 1990 on the contained use of genetically modified micro-organisms. However, infringement proceedings against those Member States which have not completely transposed the Directive are in progress. Infringement proceedings for discrepancies in the national law are also in progress.Council Directive 90/220/EEC of 23 April 1990 on the deliberate release into the environment of genetically modified organisms ((OJ No L 117, 8.5.1990. )) foresees a circulation procedure for all notifications on field releases of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) into the evironment carried out within the Community. The Commission, therefore, is aware and has a record of all notifications in a regularly updated list which is forwarded direct to the Honourable Member and to the Secretariat General of the Parliament. At present about 580 releases, including 30 different species of genetically modified organisms, have been notified.The enforcement of the regulations on modern biotechnology as well as the monitoring of the long term effects of genetically modified organisms on the environment is carried out by Member States. The results of this monitoring and the possible consequences are exchanged between Member States and the Commission. Furthermore they will be incorporated in the report of the Commission under Article 22(3) of Directive 90/220/EEC.The Commission is aware that some Member States are supporting studies on monitoring. Additionally the Commission itself is funding studies in this field within its Biotechnology research programme. Furthermore, the Commission has supported since 1987, through the Research and technological development programmes on biotechnology, research projects dealing with the methodology of monitoring GMOs in given ecosystems, as well as research projects on the mechanisms of gene flow, in order to gain knowledge of the ecological implications of releasing GMOs into the environment.