The European Commission’s much-criticised proposal to give member states the power to restrict or prohibit the use of EU-approved GM food or feed on their territory has been rejected by a second European Parliament (EP) committee, a move roundly applauded by Europe’s three major feed sector organisations.
The so-called “opt-out” plan was today thrown out by the EP’s environment, public health and food safety (ENVI) committee, just over a month after the plan was rejected by the EP agriculture committee.
“ENVI’s rejection is a loud and clear step towards avoiding the Commission’s proposal being adopted,” said the three feed trade bodies, COCERAL, FEDIOL and FEFAC, commenting in a joint welcoming statement issued immediately at the committee’s decision was declared.
The proposal is now due to come before a full plenary session of the Parliament on October 28, with COCERAL, FEDIOL and FEFAC stating that they “expect” the plenary to exercise the same “assertiveness” in rejecting the proposal, as was shown by ENVI.
Footnote: COCERAL is the European association of cereals, rice, feedstuffs oilseeds, olive oil, oils and fats and agro-supply trade; FEDIOL is the EU vegetable oil and protein meal industry association and FEFAC is the European Compound Feed Manufacturers’ Federation.