European Parliament Approves Rules for Biotech Foods, Seeds

Donald G. McNeil Jr. / New York Times 15feb01

Paris -- The European Parliament passed a measure yesterday that would allow a strictly controlled use of genetically modified organisms, preparing the way for an end to Europe's moratorium on bioengineered seeds and food.

By a vote of 338-52, the Parliament approved rules governing the testing, planting and sale of crops, of food for humans and animals and of pharmaceuticals. The overwhelming vote came despite the fact that genetically modified seeds, and foods made from them, have long been regarded with great suspicion in Europe, in contrast to the United States.

Under the restrictions, companies must apply for licenses, lasting 10 years,

and pass approval processes. Also, all genetically altered products will be tracked in a central database, which will also mark the location of all crops.

A separate bill setting strict labeling requirements for foods will be ready by April, and is expected to pass in some form.

With the changes, the 3-year-old moratorium may end soon, perhaps by next year, replaced by systematic rules.

Under European Union law, all 15 member countries are required to make their own laws conform to the new rules within 18 months. Several governments, including those of France and Denmark, said they will resist approvals of new products, but a Parliament spokeswoman said defying the law would open them to a suit in the European Court of Justice to force compliance.

"These are the toughest GMO laws in the world," said David Bowe, the British parliamentarian who wrote the bill. "Even the Greens can't say they're not strict enough."

In much of the world, in fact, the modified substances have been welcomed.

In the United States, the use of genetically modified seeds in 65 percent of the products on supermarket shelves was hardly questioned until last year, when an animal-feed corn with a potential allergen in it was found in some taco shells, and when baby food manufacturers declined to use genetically modified ingredients.

But so-called GMO (genetically modified organism) foods are far more demonized in Europe, where they have been outlawed since April 1998. Food activists like Jose Bove have become popular heroes for tearing up greenhouses full of test plants.