Provisional=20
edition
Genetically modified =
organisms: a=20
solution for the future?
Resolution 1795 (2011)1
1. The=20
use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in =
agriculture=20
continues to be a topic of debate, and all the more so =
since=20
the issue is not dealt with in the same way from one =
country=20
to another.
2. The=20
Parliamentary Assembly notes the diversity of =
approaches and=20
political and legal solutions, ranging from the =
American=20
approach based on "substantial equivalence" to the =
European=20
approach which hinges on the precautionary =
principle.
3. The=20
Assembly also refers to the international standards =
and=20
treaties such as the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, =
the=20
Codex Alimentarius and the Aarhus Convention, as well =
as its=20
own=20
Resolution 1419 (2005) on GMOs.
4. The=20
introduction of GMOs may hinder the capacity of =
species to=20
adapt and may disrupt relations between them, =
modifying the=20
natural balance of ecosystems.
5. GMOs=20
may also give rise to hazards in health, environmental =
and=20
economic terms. Consequently, it is important to =
properly=20
study the impact of the coexistence of different forms =
of=20
cultivation (GMOs, conventional, agrobiological).
6. =20
However, some experts stress that the development of =
GMOs and=20
genetically modified plants would help to develop =
competitive,=20
innovative and sustainable agriculture and protect the =
environment. They also believe that GMOs could, to a =
certain=20
degree, help boost the green economy.
7. The=20
Assembly nevertheless notes that there are numerous =
and=20
serious risks linked to GMOs in the farming and food =
sector=20
and draws attention to the need to use genetic =
engineering=20
technology responsibly and appropriately as a means of =
increasing agricultural productivity in the world.
8. The=20
Assembly is aware that many uncertainties remain as to =
the=20
consequences of the horizontal transfer, by viruses, =
of=20
genetic materials from GMO crops.
9. At the=20
same time, it is clear that climate change is =
increasingly=20
threatening agricultural production owing to rising=20
temperatures, changes in rain cycles and more frequent =
flooding and drought, and GMOs could, to a certain =
extent,=20
provide a means of combating famine and the food =
crisis.
10. =20
Consequently, the Assembly recommends that Council of =
Europe=20
member and non-member states:
10.1. =20
introduce regulations to define good agricultural =
practice=20
where the production and use of GMOs are =
concerned;
10.2. =20
establish documentary traceability, as prescribed in =
European Directive (EC) No. 1830/2003;
10.3. =20
frame and harmonise policies in the fields of public =
information, consultation and participation =
regarding the=20
future of GMOs;
10.4. =20
ban the cultivation of GMOs containing =
antibiotic-resistance=20
marker genes;
10.5. =20
conduct studies to clarify the impact of the =
possible=20
transfer of genes from genetically modified crops to =
human=20
beings;
10.6. =20
seek to systematically protect biodiversity, =
particularly in=20
protected natural areas;
10.7. =20
take the necessary steps to label products =
containing GMOs=20
or derived from animals fed with GMOs;
10.8. =20
ensure that all expert studies and appraisals =
concerning GMO=20
issues are performed completely independently and=20
transparently;
10.9. =20
ensure the effective independence of European and =
national=20
health evaluation agencies.
11. The=20
Assembly also recommends that the European Union =
guarantee the=20
right of its member states to decide whether or not to =
cultivate genetically modified plants and, if such=20
cultivations exist, to establish GMO-free =
zones.
1 Text adopted by the =
Standing=20
Committee, acting on behalf of the Assembly, on 11 =
March=20
2011 (see Doc. 12531,=20
report of the Committee on the Environment, =
Agriculture and=20
Local and Regional Affairs, rapporteur: Mr Le Grand). =
|