The EU plans to simplify the import approval process for controversial genetically modified foods and animal feed, allowing member states to decide whether to admit them or not, sources said Wednesday.
The sources said the European Commission, the EU’s executive arm, will unveil proposals on April 22, which will in effect allow GM products into the 28-nation bloc where previously fierce opposition by some member states had blocked them.
If the plans are accepted, import licences currently blocked for 19 GMOs including food, animal feed and flowers could be cleared.
They also get the Commission off the political hook since if a GMO is judged safe by the European Food Safety Agency, then it has no option but to agree ultimately that it can be imported without restriction into the EU’s single market.
Around 50 GMOs are marketed in the EU, mainly for cattle feed.
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