Transboundary movement of GMOs ­ Public deliberation (Item approved without debate: Extract from: Provisional minutes of the Environment Council of 13 June)

Brussels, 16 Jun 2003

The Council adopted a Regulation on transboundary movements of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) (doc. 9900/03 ), in the form of the common position as amended by the European Parliament in second reading.

In this context, the President of the Council welcomed the deposit of the 50th instrument of ratification of the Protocol by the Republic of Ghana, as well as the information received on this occasion that the deposit of the 51st instrument of ratification by the Republic of Palau had just been undertaken. This meant that the minimum number of Parties to the Protocol had been reached, ensuring its future entry into force (90 days after the 51st ratification).

The Regulation is designed to implement part of the Cartagena Protocol on Bio-safety in the Community. While existing Community legislation covers to a large extent imports and trade in GMOs, the proposal is intended to fulfil the requirements under the Protocol on exporters by establishing a common system of notification and information for transboundary movements of GMOs.

It is recalled that, the Council adopted the common position at its meeting on 4 March 2003, and recently reached agreement with the Parliament on this legal act. For further details, please consult Press Releases docs. 6677/03 and 102/03, respectively. ( http://ue.eu.int/newsroom/ - links: Council; Environment).