Contained use of genetically modified micro-organisms GMM (amend. Directive 90/219/EEC)

Having stressed that codecision should be applied to all issues relating to health, the rapporteur pointed out that the organisms in question (GMOs) were one of the most important tools in biotechnology. However, he stressed the need for work with these GMOs to take place in areas appropriately designed to cope with every kind of risk, in order to ensure human safety. The rapporteur also considered that the former definition of microorganism was more appropriate than that currently proposed by the Commission. He also said that not all projects in category 2 could be regarded as risk-free. Commissioner Bjerregaard emphasised the highly technical nature of the area in question which was in a process of very rapid development and could have considerable implications for employment in the EU. She then explained that the amendments made to the directive mainly concerned the administrative procedures in relation to the precautions to be taken when handling GMOs, in order to simplify the procedures without increasing the risks. As regards the amendments tabled, the Commissioner said that Amendments Nos 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 19, 31, 41, 42, 49 and 56 could be accepted. Amendments Nos 4, 11, 27, 30, 35, 37, 38, 39, 43, 47, 48, 54 and 55 could be partially accepted and Amendments Nos 7, 8, 14, 15, 17, 21-25, 64 and 68 could be accepted in principle.