Resolution on the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention following the recent anthrax attacks

The European Parliament approved the resolution on negotiations within the framework of the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention following the recent anthrax attacks. The House called for negotiations on the protocol to the Convention to be continued, with the participation of the United States. The Commission and the Member States are called upon to consider the establishment of an EU agency under Commission control, to coordinate the work of national authorities in this area. The Parliament also urges the Commission and the Member States to re-examine existing legislation and laboratory practices in the field of genetically modified micro-organisms and chemical and biological agents with a view to strengthening precautionary measures aimed at protecting human health and the environment. It is underlined that the State Parties need to draw up a set of rules which would require pharmaceutical, chemical, biotechnological and other industries with biotechnological installations which could be misused for the production of biological weapons to establish and apply efficient controls to avoid such misuse. �