WRITTEN QUESTION E-2320/01 by Torben Lund (PSE) to the Commission. GMOs.
Date: 2001-07-31
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: consumer information, food safety, foodstuffs legislation, genetically modified organism, labelling, precautionary principle

C 81 E/152

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

4.4.2002

Reply

(6 December 2001)

At its meeting on 30 November 2000, the Council was informed by the French Presidency about the
outcome of the seminar on Tourism and Sustainable Development held in Lille on 22 November 2000. In
addition, the Council heard Commissioner Liikanen(cid:146)s presentation of the Commission(cid:146)s progress report on
the follow-up to the Council conclusions on Tourism and Employment of 21 June 1999.

At the same occasion, the Presidency drew its conclusions on the state of affairs in this dossier.

On 1 and 2 July 2001, the Belgian Presidency organised the European Ministerial Conference in Bruges.
Ministers present at this conference heard a presentation by the Commission of the interim results of each
of the five working groups in the field of tourism (information, training, quality, sustainable development
as well as information and communication technology) and discussed the follow-up on the Council
conclusions of 21 June 1999 as well as the conference theme (cid:145)Tourism for all(cid:146). The outcome of this
conference has been presented to the Council on 27 September 2001.

(2002/C 81 E/177)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2320/01

by Torben Lund (PSE) to the Commission

(31 July 2001)

Subject: GMOs

European legislation on the use of genetically-modified organisms (GMOs) is highly inadequate. Knowledge
of the implications of these production methods is still very limited and imprecise and does not take
proper account of the precautionary principle. Full product labelling is necessary if consumers are to be
able to avoid GMO products. How are the present labelling rules to ensure that consumers are able to
make an informed and genuine choice regarding GMO products (cid:129) both goods produced in the EU and
goods imported from the USA, for example. Furthermore, how will the forthcoming new labelling rules for
GMO products ensure that consumers are given real choice in respect of products consisting of, containing
or produced using GMOs, e.g. by the use of GM feedingstuffs? Will the new labelling rules cover both
goods produced in the EU and goods imported from the USA, for example?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(22 October 2001)

The Commission can inform the Honourable Member that, on 25 July 2001, it adopted a proposal for a
Regulation of the Parliament and of the Council on genetically modified food and feed (1). The Proposal
includes provisions for the mandatory labelling of all food and feed consisting of, containing or produced
from genetically modified organisms. These labelling requirements apply to both food and feed produced
within the Community as well as food and feed imported from third countries. Products such as meat, eggs
and milk from animals fed on genetically modified feed are not covered by the proposal due to the fact
that such products are not directly derived from genetically modified organisms.

(1) COM(2001) 425 final.