Bibliography: biotechnology and GM foods

Amongst the most significant texts and developments are:

1990: Directive 90/219/EEC on the contained use of genetically modified micro-organisms (OJ L117, 08.05.90).

1990: Directive 90/220/EEC on the deliberate release into the environment of genetically modified organisms (OJ L117, 08.05.90).

1990: Directive 90/679/EEC on the protection of workers from risks related to exposure to biological agents at work (seventh individual Directive within the meaning of Article 16 (1) of Directive 89/391/EEC) (OJ L374, 31.12.90).

1993: 05.12.93 White Paper on growth, competitiveness, and employment: The challenges and ways forward into the 21st century (COM(93)700).

1994: Directive 94/55/EC 1994 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States with regard to the transport of dangerous goods by road [sic] (OJ L319, 12.12.94).

1997: 27.01.97 Regulation 258/97 concerning novel foods and novel food ingredients (OJ L43, 14.02.97).

1998: Proposal for a European Parliament and Council Directive amending Directive 90/220/EEC on the deliberate release into the environment of genetically modified organisms (COM(1998)85; OJ C139, 04.05.98).

1998: 26.10.98 Directive 98/81/EC amending Directive 90/219/EEC on the contained use of genetically modified micro-organisms (OJ L330, 05.12.98).

1999: June 1999 Five EU Member States - Denmark , France, Greece Italy and Luxembourg - declare de-facto moratorium on new GMO authorisations.

2000: 12.01.00 White Paper on Food Safety (COM(1999)719) - announced various measures to tighten and streamline the Community rules governing novel foods and foods containing or derived from genetically modified organisms.

2001: 25.07.01 In an attempt to lift the June 1999 GMO moratorium, the Commission put forward a Proposal for a Regulation concerning traceability and labelling of genetically modified organisms and traceability of food and feed products produced from genetically modified organisms and amending Directive 2001/18/EC (COM (2001) 182) and a Proposal for a Regulation on genetically modified food and feed (COM (2001)425).

2001: 04.12.01 A 38-point Science and Society Action Plan (COM(2001)714) aimed to improve the relationship between science and society.

2002: the Sixth Framework Programme, 2002-2006, included Life Sciences, Genomics and Biotechnology for Health as one of seven major thematic priorities.

2002: 23.01.02 Communication ... Life sciences and biotechnology - A Strategy for Europe: (COM(2002)27, OJ C55 02.03.02; see also Life Sciences and Biotechnology - a Strategic Vision).

2002: 18.02.02 Proposal for a Regulation on the transboundary movement of genetically modified organisms (COM(2002)85; OJ C E 151, 25.06.02).  Adopted 2003 and formally approved by the Council on 22.07.03 (see Commission press release).

2002: 25.06.02 Council Decision concerning the conclusion, on behalf of the European Community, of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (OJ L201, 31.07.02)

2003: 13.05.03 United States case against the EU filed at the WTO.  A Dispute Panel was set up on 29.08.03; results not expected before 2005.

2003: 22.09.03 Regulation 1829/2003 on genetically modified food and feed and Regulation 1830/2003 concerning the traceability and labelling of genetically modified organisms and the traceability of food and feed products produced from genetically modified organisms and amending Directive 2001/18/EC (both in OJ L268, 18.10.03).

Other useful sources include:

EU websites and documents

SCADPLUS: Food safety: Specific themes: Genetically Modified Organisms.  Background / explanatory texts on: Transboundary movement of genetically modified organisms; Contained use of genetically modified micro-organisms; Novel foods and novel food ingredients (GMO); Labelling of foods containing genetically modified maize and soya; Labelling of foodstuffs containing additives and flavourings that have been genetically modified.

DG Research
Biosociety

European Group on Ethics in Science and New Technologies
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Publications

Organisations, groups, networks

Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO)
Homepage
Publications

CropLife America
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Publications

EuropaBio (European Association for Bioindustries)
Homepage
Position papers
Reports

Friends of the Earth Europe
Homepage
Publications
European GMO Campaign

GeneWatch UK
Homepage
Issue Papers

Greenpeace
Homepage
Biosafety protocol

House of Lords: European Union Select Committee: List of sub-committees (Sub-Committee D is responsible for Environment, Agriculture, Public Health and Consumer Protection); List of Reports.
2002: 23.05.02 Labelling and Tracing of GM Food and Animal Feed: Informing the Consumer (22^nd Report)

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
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Biotechnology
Biotechnology Publications & Documents

World Trade Organization
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Dispute settlement
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