European Parliament votes for organics

Environmental NGOs have welcomed the rejection by the European Parliament of a proposal to allow traces of genetically modified organisms in organic food. The result of the vote, say Friends of the Earth Europe, Greenpeace, and the European Environmental Bureau, is a clear indication from European elected representatives that the right to GM-free food is non-negotiable. Parliament also voted in favour of an requesting an equal say on the legislation with member states, through the codecision procedure, so there will now be negotiations with the Council and Commission to resolve this conflict over legislative powers.

The NGOs warn that the 0.1 % GMO contamination threshold should under no circumstances be used as a bargaining chip in the resolution of this conflict over legislative powers.

For further information please contact:

Helen Holder, GM Campaigner, Friends of the Earth Europe
Tel : +32 (0)2 542 0182, Mobile  +32 (0)474 857 638 ;   E-mail : helen.holder@foeeurope.org

Marco Contiero, Senior policy advisor, GMOs, Greenpeace EU Unit
Mobile: +32 (0)477 777 034 ; E-mail: marco.contiero@diala.greenpeace.org

Mauro Albrizio, Vice-president, European Environmental Bureau
Mobile : +32 479 940 257 ; E-mail : legambiente@skynet.be