EU court imposes curbs on GM honey
September 7, 2011, Wednesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
Honey that contains traces of pollen from genetically modified crops needs special authorization before it can be sold, the European Union's top court said yesterday, in a judgment that could have widespread consequences on the bloc's policy on genetically modified organisms, or GMOs.
The ruling from the European Court of Justice in Brussels came after several Bavarian beekeepers demanded compensation from their government for honey and food supplements that contained traces of pollen from genetically modified maize.
The beekeepers had their hives close to fields where the Bavarian government was growing Monsanto's MON 810 maize for research purposes.
The EU has strict guidelines on authorizing and informing consumers about foods containing GMOs - a policy that has caused problems for producers of GM seeds such as United States-based Monsanto Co that are used to much laxer rules in other parts of the world.
Environmental activists said yesterday's ruling will force the 17-country EU to strengthen the rules even further at a time they worried the bloc was dropping its zero-tolerance policy toward GMOs. "This is a victory for beekeepers, consumers and the movement for GM-free agriculture in Europe," Mute Schimpf, a food campaigner for Friends of the Earth Europe, said in a statement.
Earlier this year, the EU approved rules to allow the import of animal feed contaminated with small traces of GM crops - a move that was heavily criticized by environmental groups.
The ruling from the European Court of Justice in Brussels came after several Bavarian beekeepers demanded compensation from their government for honey and food supplements that contained traces of pollen from genetically modified maize.
The beekeepers had their hives close to fields where the Bavarian government was growing Monsanto's MON 810 maize for research purposes.
The EU has strict guidelines on authorizing and informing consumers about foods containing GMOs - a policy that has caused problems for producers of GM seeds such as United States-based Monsanto Co that are used to much laxer rules in other parts of the world.
Environmental activists said yesterday's ruling will force the 17-country EU to strengthen the rules even further at a time they worried the bloc was dropping its zero-tolerance policy toward GMOs. "This is a victory for beekeepers, consumers and the movement for GM-free agriculture in Europe," Mute Schimpf, a food campaigner for Friends of the Earth Europe, said in a statement.
Earlier this year, the EU approved rules to allow the import of animal feed contaminated with small traces of GM crops - a move that was heavily criticized by environmental groups.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
