Genetically modified food and feed: implementing powers conferred on the Commission

The Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety adopted a report drafted by Karin SCHEELE (PES, AT) on the proposal for a regulation amending Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 on genetically modified food and feed, as regards the implementing powers conferred on the Commission. It made some amendments to the proposal, most of which were designed to add to the list of areas where implementing measures should be adopted in accordance with the regulatory procedure with scrutiny referred to in Article 35(3) of the Regulation. These areas include the following;

• whether a type of food falls within the scope of Section 1 on supervision and authorisation of genetically modified food;
• the application for authorisation, including rules concerning the preparation and the presentation of the application.
• with regard to Article 7 on authorisation, the Committee inserted a provision stating that a final decision on the application will be adopted in accordance with the regulatory procedure with scrutiny; 
• measures regarding the implementation of Article 8 on the status of existing products;
• the renewal of authorisations, including rules concerning the preparation and the presentation of the application;
• the section on labelling, amongst other things regarding the measures necessary for operators to comply with the labelling requirements, and specific rules concerning the information to be given by mass caterers providing food to the final consumer;
• implementing rules for the application of rules concerning the preparation and the presentation of the application for authorisation of genetically modified feed, as well as the status of existing products and renewal of authorisations and labelling provisions regarding genetically modified feed.

Lastly, it should be noted that Article 35(3) is amended and deletes the time limits in the Commission’s proposal.