EU Greenlights Member States to Relax Gene Tech Rules: What This Means and Why It Matters
States have approved loosened regulations on genetic engineering revision
Hop on board folks, we're diving into the world of genetic engineering with the EU's latest move! In a significant shift, EU member states have given the green light to loosen regulations on gene technology. This decision, made in consultations on Friday, opens the door to easier use of genetically modified crops.
The proposed legislation aims to fast-track the market entry of such crops. To speed things up, the EU Commission suggests streamlining the approval process dramatically. Under the proposed law, lengthy environmental risk assessments and traceability obligations would be largely abolished—except for sustainability in organic farming.
But, as with any wave of change, there's a bit of a storm brewing. The main point of debate among EU countries is whether patents should be granted for crops from new gene technologies. The outgoing German agriculture minister, Cem Özdemir (Greens), warns that large agricultural corporations could snatch up these possible patents, leaving medium-sized seed producers in the dust. The German government hasn't yet reached a fixed position on the issue at hand.
Now, the Polish presidency of the Council of the 27 member states is suggesting a compromise: a patent database for genetically modified seed. This database would help protect seed producers from inadvertently infringing upon patents and facing legal battles.
So, what does this mean for us and our dinner plates? Stay tuned to see how the European Parliament reacts to these proposed changes, as negotiations are sure to heat up!
[Source: ntv.de, AFP]
- The EU's decision to lighten regulations on gene technology could potentially impact the 'employment policy' of seed producers, as the proposed patent database for genetically modified seed might offer protection against inadvertent patent infringements.
- The relaxation of gene tech rules by EU member states includes an employment policy change to fast-track the market entry of genetically modified crops, which may require streamlining the approval process and modifying current regulations.
- As the Polish presidency of the Council of the 27 member states suggestions a compromise with a patent database for genetically modified seed, debates on 'employment policy' and patent rights for crops from new gene technologies continue to unfold among EU countries, including the European Parliament.
