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

In general terms, the common position follows the structure of the original Commission's proposal. However, it broadens the original scope of the proposal and strengthens the obligations lying on Community exporters in a very substantial way, which goes beyond the requirement of the Biosafety Protocol. The Commission concludes by stating that despite a consequent improvement of the original proposal on many aspects, some of the changes introduced by the Council, especially with regard to the questions of explicit consent and of exports of GM commodities, do alter the coherence of the proposal with other pieces of Community legislation. Furthermore, these changes are also likely to create problems in terms of practical implementation of the proposal, notably in terms of international trade. Therefore, the Commission was not in a position to support the common position, which has been adopted by unanimity. Accordingly, the Commission has made a declaration to the minutes of the Environment Council.�