WRITTEN QUESTION E-1431/00 by Glenys Kinnock (PSE) to the Commission. Genetically modified organisms.
Date: 2000-05-05
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European social policy, consumer information, seed, transgenic plant

C 89 E/40

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

20.3.2001

(2001/C 89 E/037)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1431/00

by Glenys Kinnock (PSE) to the Commission

(5 May 2000)

Subject: Genetically modified organisms

What plans does the Commission have to introduce measures to ensure that European citizens are
properly informed of those genetically modified varieties which are undergoing tests and trials in each
Member State, for the purpose of deciding whether to enter such varieties onto national catalogues
pursuant to Directive 70/457/EEC (1)?

(1) OJ L 225, 12.10.1970, p. 1.

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(24 July 2000)

The publication of information concerning genetically modified organisms undergoing trials in accordance
with Community seed legislation is a matter falling within the responsibility of the Member States, which
are also responsible for the official acceptance of plant varieties under Council Directive 70/457/EEC of
29 September 1970 on the common catalogue of varieties of agricultural plant species (1) and their listing
on the national catalogues of varieties.

As set out in point 75 of the annex to the white paper on food safety (2), the Commission will bring
forward a proposal concerning specific conditions for the environmental risk assessment in respect of
genetically modified plant varieties, which will be equivalent to those laid down in Council Directive 90/
220/EEC of 23 April 1990 on the deliberate release into the environment of genetically modified
organisms (3) as revised. In this context, it will be giving consideration to measures of public information
on tests and trials on plant material of genetically modified varieties.

(1) OJ L 225, 12.10.1970.
(2) COM(1999) 719 final.
(3) OJ L 117, 8.5.1990.

(2001/C 89 E/038)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1433/00

by Caroline Jackson (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: EC biodiversity strategy and action plans

(5 May 2000)

In 1998 the Commission published (cid:145)A European Community Biodiversity Strategy(cid:146)
(COM(98) 42).
The strategy defines a framework for actions necessary to fulfil the EC(cid:146)s commitments under Article 6 of
the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). The stated aim of the strategy is to (cid:145)anticipate, prevent and
attack the causes of significant reduction of loss of biological diversity at source(cid:146). In particular, this is to be
achieved by developing and implementing a number of sectoral biodiversity Action Plans.

The Action Plans were to take the form of Commission Communications to the Council and the
instruments. They were to be
Parliament and, where appropriate, were to include proposals for legal
completed within two years after the adoption of the strategy, i.e. by February 2000.

1.
Could the Commission provide an update on progress towards developing the individual plans,
including those for agriculture, fisheries and economic development and cooperation, and indicate when
the final Action Plans can be expected?