Jill Evans MEP, leader of Plaid Cymru - The Party of Wales in the European Parliament, has warned that the adoption of a new EU directive on the deliberate release of GMOs is no reason for lifting the moratorium on GMO approvals in Europe.

Speaking at a press conference in Brussels today (Wednesday, 14th February) the all Wales Euro MP acknowledged that the revised Directive on the "deliberate release into the environment of genetically modified organisms" is certainly an improvement over previous legislation, but other important directives are still missing from the legislative jigsaw.

Ms Evans, who is Wales' only member of the European Parliament's Committee on the Environment and Public Health, said:

"Whilst this new directive goes along the right lines to protect the environment and human health, it should not be seen as an excuse to lift the ban on new GMO releases. The directive certainly improves previous proposals, but the European Union's regulatory framework on GMOs is still far from being complete.

"Crucial elements, such as traceability, labelling, liability for damage caused by GMOs and their exports to non-EU countries are still only in the legislative pipeline. A lifting of the de facto moratorium would be foolish before this legislation is adopted and implemented by the Member States."

The new directive nevertheless offers better environmental risk assessment, traceability and monitoring which might help to identify and remedy adverse effects of GMOs at an earlier stage. It will also require all locations of GMO releases to be recorded in a public register, which is seen a success for the Green/EFA Group in the European Parliament (of which Plaid Cymru - The Party of Wales is a member).

"Allowing new GMO approvals on the grounds that the new directive on GMO releases provides sufficient protection to consumers would, in fact, contravene the precautionary principle to which the new directive makes explicit reference.

"The directive includes conditions for the protection of particular ecosystems, environments or geographical areas. This will allow the release of GMOs to be prohibited in specified regions. It is now up to regions that so desire to take that initiative under the new directive in line with what consumers want."

DIWEDD/END.