Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on the Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the contained use of genetically modified micro-organisms (Recast) COM(2007) 736 final — 2007/0259 (COD)
Date: 2008-02-13
Institutions: European Economic and Social Committee
Subjects: drafting of EU law, environmental impact, environmental risk prevention, exchange of information, genetically modified organism, microorganism, public health

25.6.2008

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 162/85

3.4
Proper certification of country of origin and European
quality controls can help to bring to Community cotton produc-
tion the added value sought by all European initiatives in the
field. However, as the EU is a net importer of cotton, controls
on imports need to be improved and strengthened. Cotton
should therefore be included in the list of products eligible for
information and promotion measures, although this will not in
itself provide a solution for the sector.

The EESC supports all

3.5
the Commission's proposals
designed to improve the quality of cotton. In recent years the
sector has made great environmental progress by supporting
integrated production systems, agri-environmental aid and eco-
friendly production. There has been an increase in integrated
production systems in Spain, accompanied by application of
In 2008 Greece will adopt a law
environmental measures.

governing integrated production systems. The new regime must
provide incentives for such initiatives.

The EU should help its cotton sector to adapt to using

3.6
new technological innovations.

3.7
The EU is a net importer of cotton; Community cotton
production only accounts for 2 % of the cotton consumed in
the world, and is a long way from the major cotton producing
countries (USA, China, India, etc.). As a result, the EU is not
involved in setting international prices for this raw material, and
Community support
for cotton producers does not distort
competition. The Commission should therefore defend the Euro-
pean cotton sector when this is called into question in multilat-
eral forums such as the World Trade Organisation.

Brussels, 14 February 2008.

The President

of the European Economic and Social Committee

Dimitris DIMITRIADIS

Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on the Proposal for a Directive of the
European Parliament and of the Council on the contained use of genetically modified micro-organ-
isms (Recast)

COM(2007) 736 final — 2007/0259 (COD)

(2008/C 162/18)

On 10 January 2008 the Council decided to consult the European Economic and Social Committee, under
Article 175 of the Treaty establishing the European Community, on the

Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the contained use of genetically modified
micro-organisms (Recast)

Since the Committee unreservedly endorses the contents of the proposal and has already set out its views
on the subject in its earlier opinions CESE 1235/1988, adopted on 24 November 1988 (1), and CESE
887/1996, adopted on 10 July 1996 (2), it decided, at its 442nd plenary session, held on 13 and 14 February
2008 (meeting of 13 February), by 133 votes to 2 with 3 abstentions to issue an opinion endorsing the
proposal and to refer to the position it had taken in the above-mentioned documents.

Brussels, 13 February 2008.

The President

of the European Economic and Social Committee

Dimitris DIMITRIADIS

(1) Opinion of the Economic and Social Committee on the proposal for a Council Directive on the contained use of

genetically modified micro-organisms — COM(1988) 160 final (OJ C 23 of 30.1.1989, p. 45).

(2) Opinion of

the Economic and Social Committee on the proposal

for a Council Directive amending Directive
90/219/EEC on the contained use of genetically modified micro-organisms — COM(1995) 640 final (OJ C 295 of
7.10.1996, p. 52).