Council Minutes, 15 July 2008
The following is an extract from the Agriculture and Fisheries Council Meeting
Under the committee procedure rules, the Council was asked to adopt a qualified majority position on two proposals for Commission Decisions authorising the placing on the market of products containing genetically modified soybean A2704-12 (ACS-GMØØ5-3) (8996/08) and products containing genetically modified cotton LLCotton25 (ACS-GHØØ1-3) (9070/08) pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003.
The Council confirmed the absence of the qualified majority required to take a decision on the Commission proposals. The proposals will therefore be sent back to the Commission for a decision to be taken.
Background
– Genetically modified cotton LLCotton (ACS-GHØØ1-3)
On 3 March 2005, Bayer CropScience AG submitted to the competent authority of the Netherlands, pursuant to Articles 5 and 17 of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003, an application for the placing on the market of food and feed containing, consisting of, or produced from genetically modified LLCotton25.
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) was consulted and delivered its opinion on 16 April 2007. On 12 February 2008 the Commission consulted the relevant regulatory committee, which was unable to issue an opinion.
Accordingly, on 30 April 2008 the Commission submitted a proposal to the Council which was required to act by a qualified majority within three months from that date (i.e. by 30 July 2008).
– Genetically modified soybean (A2704-12 (ACS-GMØØ5-3))
On 1 July 2005 Bayer CropScience AG submitted to the competent authority of the Netherlands, pursuant to Articles 5 and 17 of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003, an application for the placing on the market of food, food ingredients and feed containing, consisting of, or produced from soybean A2704-12.
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) was consulted and delivered its opinion on 10 August 2007.
On 12 February 2008 the Commission consulted the relevant regulatory committee, which was unable to issue an opinion. Accordingly, on 29 April 2008 the Commission submitted a proposal to the Council, which was required to act by a qualified majority within three months from that date (i.e. by 29 July 2008).