Transboundary movement of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety

The committee adopted the report by Jonas SJÖSTEDT (EUL/NGL, S) amending the Council's common position under the 2nd reading of the codecision procedure. It reinstated, sometimes in modified form, a number of amendments adopted by Parliament at 1st reading relating to: - the notification procedure for GMOs intended for deliberate release into the environment: at 1st reading, Parliament had changed the wording of the proposal so as to ensure that an export notification would be needed for the intentional transboundary movement of a GMO intended "directly or indirectly" for deliberate release into the environment, to reflect the fact that most such GMOs will probably not be released immediately on reaching the territory of the party of import. In a further clarification in the 2nd reading report, the committee also stipulated that the notification requirement should not apply merely to first transboundary movements, as proposed; instead, it should also apply to subsequent transboundary movements of the GMO unless the country of import had given notice in writing that approval for such movements was not required; - food and feed produced from or with the aid of GMOs: exporters of such products should be required to comply with the laws and rules of the importing country regarding notification procedures; - access to information: information which may not be kept confidential should include the name and address of not only the exporter but also the importer; moreover, the Commission should also make available to the public the export notifications on transboundary movements of GMOs intended for deliberate release into the environment. Furthermore, in a response to a change which the common position had made to the original proposal, the committee adopted an amendment clarifying that bilateral, regional or multilateral agreements the Community enters into should not result in a lower level of protection than that provided by the Cartagena Protocol and the regulation.�