WRITTEN QUESTION P-0641/04 by Friedrich-Wilhelm Graefe zu Baringdorf (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Results of testing for the presence of GMOs in seeds since 2000.
Date: 2004-02-25
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU Member State, action programme, genetically modified organism, plant health control, report, seed

C 84 E/440

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

3.4.2004

(2004/C 84 E/0512)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0641/04

by Friedrich-Wilhelm Graefe zu Baringdorf (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

Subject: Results of testing for the presence of GMOs in seeds since 2000

(25 February 2004)

On 10 July 2000, the Standing Committee on Agricultural, Horticultural and Forestry Seeds and Plants
decided that the Member States should carry out regular testing for GMOs on conventional and organic
seeds and inform the other Member States and the Commission of the results. This was also to apply to
seeds imported from third countries.

For which Member States does the Commission have test reports for 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2003?

What are the results of the individual tests (in terms of the detection of GMO impurities, frequency and
quantity etc.)?

What measures have the Commission and the Member States taken where GMO impurities have been
discovered in seedlots?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(29 March 2004)

The Standing Committee on Seeds and Propagating Material for Agriculture, Horticulture and Forestry
discussed on 10 July 2000 a plan for co-ordinated and harmonized interim action with respect to
genetically modified organisms (GMO) ‘impurities’ in seed lots of conventional varieties with a view to
immediate implementation and without prejudice to related legislative measures in preparation at that
time.

At this time, 13 Member States agreed to organize testing of selected seed lots of conventional varieties to
determine the possible presence of GMO ‘impurities’. Testing was to be in accordance with certain defined
criteria (details of the action plan can be found in the report of the meeting of 10 July 2000 on website:
http://europa.eu.int/comm/food/fs/rc/scsp/index_en.html) regarding the species to be tested, the origin of
the seed lots, the actions which would be taken in the case of the presence of unauthorised and authorised
GMOs, and Member States agreed to inform the other Member States and the Commission of any finding.

The Standing Committee has noted the results of the testing undertaken by Member States on different
occasions since July 2000 and short reports are available under the above-mentioned internet address.
The Commission has also received, sometimes directly from Member States, results of testing.

Controls have started at various times in the different Member States and at different
frequencies.
The action plan being not legally binding, Member States have not applied the same thresholds (some of
the Member States have adopted national
law with lower thresholds, some others with the proposed
threshold for authorised GMOs) and have not taken the same actions in case of GM presence. They have
not informed systematically the Commission of all the actions taken. From the results which are rather
disparate in the different Member States, it appears that in a large number of samples no GM was detected
or was present below the thresholds applied by the Member States. Few samples were declared positive for
authorised GMOs (above the threshold) or showed a detectable presence of GM not authorised for
cultivation.

Moreover,
testing in
the Commission notes that Member States have communicated the results of
answering the letter addressed to them by the Honourable Member on 13 November 2003 concerning the
adventitious presence of GMO in seeds.

The test results demonstrate a need for harmonised legal thresholds and measures when the threshold is
exceeded. This is why the Commission continues to work on the establishment of thresholds below which
the adventitious or technically unavoidable presence of authorised GM seeds in seeds of non-GM varieties
will not require labelling. As the Honourable Member is aware, it is intended to adopt these thresholds

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the ‘horizontal’ Directive 2001/18/EC (1)

Identical
under
thresholds will then be adopted under the sector-based seed legislation in the Management Committee to
ensure consistency, with,
in addition, specific certification requirements as regards GM adventitious
presence in seeds.

in the Regulatory Committee procedure.

(1) Directive 2001/18/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 12 March 2001 on the deliberate release into the

environment of genetically modified repealing Council Directive 90/220/EEC, OJ L 106, 17.4.2001.

(2004/C 84 E/0513)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0644/04

by Harald Ettl (PSE) to the Commission

(25 February 2004)

Subject: Further information on question concerning portability of supplementary pension rights

In its reply of 19 February 2004 to Question P-0207/04 (1), the Commission stated that it was currently
investigating the scope for the adoption of a binding EU legal act concerning similar minimum provisions
to protect mobile workers in relation to the preconditions for access to occupational pension schemes,
qualification periods, reassessment of inactive entitlements (i.e. the entitlements of people who have left a
scheme but have not yet reached retirement age) and the arrangements for transferring entitlements.

What stage have the considerations and preparations with regard to the substance and feasibility of the
proposal for a directive reached?

What is the Commission’s timetable for the assessment?

When will the Commission submit the proposal for a directive?

(1) OJ C 78 E, 27.3.2004.

Answer given by Mr Dimas on behalf of the Commission

(1 April 2004)

As stated in its answer to the Honourable Member’s Written Question No P-0207/04, the Commission is
currently investigating the potential benefits of adopting a binding EU act establishing minimum
requirements similar to those already in force in a number of Member States.

The Commission will take account of Member States’ experience, drawing on the expertise of the Pensions
Forum. Over the coming months it will collect from the Member States and Pensions Forum experts the
information it needs in order to be able to present a proposal for legislation in autumn 2004.

(2004/C 84 E/0514)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0645/04

by Bill Newton Dunn (ELDR) to the Commission

(25 February 2004)

Subject: Expert advice in the JHA sector

How many expert groups advise the Commission in the JHA sector? What actions have been taken as a
result of their recommendations without reference to the European Parliament?