Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2002-09-24-Speech-2-019"
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"en.20020924.2.2-019"2
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"Mr President, I have already indicated in previous debates that it is essential that GMOs be exported to third countries in a responsible manner. The argument that the development of genetically modified organisms helps solve the world food problem should very much apply in practice. The stories of the so-called terminator gene, which prevents the growth of descendants, are very worrying indeed. It is my hope that abuse and improper practices can be prevented by duly complying with the Protocol. The European Community and the Member States have already made a first step in the right direction with regard to the imports and exports of GMOs, namely by endorsing the Cartagena Protocol.
We are now facing the next step, which is transposing the Protocol into clear-cut legislation, for which Directive 2001/18/EC and pending legislation on labelling GMOs should serve as a basis. I am therefore of the opinion that the present regulation governing the international trade in GMOs should be completely in line with this. In other countries too, people have to be aware of any safety risks before they can decide to accept a batch of GMOs. They also want to know whether the level of protection, safe use and biological diversity can be guaranteed. Moreover, I can imagine that those countries too set great store by freedom of choice, a value so cherished in Europe.
The Treaty of Rotterdam on the imports and exports of chemical substances shows up similarities with the present legislation. Both treaties are based on the sound guiding principle that imports can only take place if the importing parties have been informed beforehand and have subsequently accepted. I consider this to be an excellent guiding principle. Another gain is the fact that developing countries can obtain help and information on GMOs. In this way, use can be made of expertise on GMOs that is present elsewhere in the world. Needless to say, it is up to those countries what they do with this information. We must also accept that countries may take more far-reaching measures in order to achieve a higher level of protection. Whether they are within the EU or outside it, countries must have the option of going further than the Cartagena Protocol.
The present text helps the Member States to make every effort to prevent unintentional transboundary movement of GMOs. Mr Sjöstedt's report therefore receives my warm support."@en1
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