Genetically Modified Organisms

Genetically modified organisms (GMO) and the Treaties of the European Union

Description of Genetically modified organisms (GMO) provided by the European Union Commission: GMOs are organisms whose genetic material (DNA) has been altered not by reproduction and/or natural recombination but by the introduction of a modified gene or a gene from another variety or species. There has been Community legislation on GMOs since 1998. EU action is designed to protect human health and the environment while following the rules of the single market. The Union has legislated on the use, dissemination, marketing and traceability of GMOs both in food intended for both human consumption and in animal feed. It has also adopted measures to implement the provisions on transboundary movements of GMOs laid down in the Cartagena Protocol on bio-security. After a five-year moratorium, the Commission once again authorised GMOs in May 2004. In order to be placed on the market, GMOs must first undergo a very strict assessment process. They must then be clearly labelled in line with the latest labelling requirements which include product traceability. In September 2004, the Commission also authorised the marketing and growing of GMO seeds for the first time by registering 17 other varieties of maize in the Common EU Catalogue of Varieties of Agricultural Plant Species. The reference laboratory for GMO assessment is the European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC). The new Member States have national monitoring laboratories belonging to the European network of reference laboratories for GMOs. This network assists the JRC in detecting, identifying and quantifying the presence of GMOs in foodstuffs.

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Genetically modified organisms (GMO) and the Treaties of the European Union

Description of Genetically modified organisms (GMO) provided by the European Union Commission: GMOs are organisms whose genetic material (DNA) has been altered not by reproduction and/or natural recombination but by the introduction of a modified gene or a gene from another variety or species. There has been Community legislation on GMOs since 1998. EU action is designed to protect human health and the environment while following the rules of the single market. The Union has legislated on the use, dissemination, marketing and traceability of GMOs both in food intended for both human consumption and in animal feed. It has also adopted measures to implement the provisions on transboundary movements of GMOs laid down in the Cartagena Protocol on bio-security. After a five-year moratorium, the Commission once again authorised GMOs in May 2004. In order to be placed on the market, GMOs must first undergo a very strict assessment process. They must then be clearly labelled in line with the latest labelling requirements which include product traceability. In September 2004, the Commission also authorised the marketing and growing of GMO seeds for the first time by registering 17 other varieties of maize in the Common EU Catalogue of Varieties of Agricultural Plant Species. The reference laboratory for GMO assessment is the European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC). The new Member States have national monitoring laboratories belonging to the European network of reference laboratories for GMOs. This network assists the JRC in detecting, identifying and quantifying the presence of GMOs in foodstuffs.

Resources

See Also

Popular Treaties Topics

• Treaties of the United Nations (UN)
• Types of Treaties
• International Treaties
• Famous Treaties
• Law of Treaties
• Numbered Treaties