Pressure on the EU to restrict commercial production of genetically modified crops may force the introduction of temporary restrictions on their development in Europe, and more extensive evaluation of their effects on the environment.
The British government's decision to introduce new controls in response to consumer concerns, and to curb commercial GM crop production pending the outcome of new ecological tests, combined with the terms of the coalition deal in Germany, is likely to tip the balance and force the European Commission to act.
The Government will not follow suit, in the short term at least, as all aspects of the use of genetically modified organisms are being reviewed by the Minister for the Environment, Mr Dempsey.
The Minister is examining the views of both sides of the GMO debate following publication of a consultation paper in September, a spokeswoman said yesterday. Any decision would not be made "until that process is completed". With a review of EU directive 90/220 on GMOs due by the end of 1998, the Irish position will have to be clarified by then.
After the European Parliament's environment committee called two weeks ago for a moratorium on new GM crop varieties and more extensive evaluation of the crops, a Commission spokesman conceded it "may be forced to reconsider its approach". It came as the French government decided to segregate its GM and non-GM maize harvested this year. Further pressure came this week when MEPs called for a "biosafety protocol" to protect biodiversity and include stricter regulation of GM crops.
Political unease across Europe has now "reached new heights", Commission sources have confirmed, increasing the likelihood of some concession.
What the British government called a "virtual moratorium" on GM crops was, however, dismissed by environmental interests as "allowing their go-ahead under cover of more experiments". Additional checks and greater transparency will be required, though much of the package was voluntarily agreed with industry. Ms Clare Watson of Genetic Concern dismissed it as "a ploy to keep everyone happy". The "moratorium" lacked substance and should have been extended to herbicide-resistant crops, while new long-term monitoring provisions were inadequate, she said. Friends of the Earth accused the British government of again "relying on industry to monitor itself, which always fails".
The measures would strike the right balance between protecting the environment/human health and maintaining the proper degree of certainty needed by business for development of new products, according to the Environment Minister, Mr Michael Meacher.
They include:
a programme of managed development of GM crops: the first commercial plantings are to be strictly limited and monitored for ecological effects, separate to a three-year ban on insect-resistant crops.
a powerful ministerial group on biotechnology and genetic modification: headed by the cabinet "enforcer", Dr Jack Cunningham, it is to work with the government's expert group.
a review of pesticides used on GM crops to compare the likely impact on biodiversity of current and possible future practice, including analysis of the likely level of herbicide use on herbicide-tolerant crops.
The Greens and Social Democrats in Germany have agreed long-term effects of "transgene products" must be examined. The deal includes undertakings to strengthen research into safety of GM products and, through proper labelling, ensure that genetic-free products and processes are clearly recognisable for consumers.
With so many member-states having second thoughts about the EU stance on GM crops, not complying with legislation or being defiant with their own crop bans, the Commission cannot afford to let regulation of the GM industry unravel.
