This chapter discusses European Community legislation for traceability and labeling of genetically modified crops, food, and feed. After a brief discussion of EC law making and the role of the precautionary principle, the chapter discusses EC measures for authorization of bioengineered or genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and GM food and feed. It focuses on EC Regulations that require, and establish thresholds for, traceability and labeling of GMOS and their food and feed products. The chapter addresses the practical issue of coexistence of GM crops with conventional and organic crops, and it reviews EC policy documents and Member State measures to ensure coexistence.
To be successful, laws that regulate genetically modified organisms (GMOs) must help society decide rationally when to pause and when to proceed in adopting new biotechnological developments. In the context of European Union (EU) institutions and lawmaking procedures, this article examines European Community (EC) legal measures that govern the contained use, deliberate release, and labeling of GMOs. To illustrate Member State implementation of EC measures, the article focuses more briefly on regulation of GMOs in England. It highlights the controversy about GMOs in Member States and reveals some of the differences between U.S. and EU attitudes toward GMOs and genetically modified products.
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