Memorandum to Czech Presidency and Ten Test - EEB

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EEB Memorandum to the Czech EU Presidency- Ensure that nuclear energy is not given preferential treatment, particularlybecause of its potential dangers and waste legacy. In particular, introducea tax on uranium and ensure strict application of liability requirements forits long term waste management.13
EEB Memorandum to the Czech EU Presidency3. AGRICULTURE COUNCIL3.1. EU Legislation on Coexistence of GM Crops with Conventional andOrganic FarmingAn important law is still missing at EU level to ensure a genuinely informedchoice for both consumers and farmers: new EU rules on co-existence whicheffectively prevent the genetic contamination of conventional and organicproductions in Europe. Without clear and coherent EU legislation on coexistence,genetic contamination will soon become a fait accompli in EUagriculture, depriving European consumers and farmers of the right to choose. Itwill also spell the end of organic farming as we know it.The Commission in 2009 must report to the Council and European Parliament onprogress made on implementing national measures on the co-existence ofgenetically modified (GM) crops with conventional and organic farming.In March 2006, the Commission issued its ”Report on the implementation ofnational measures on the co-existence of genetically modified crops withconventional and organic farming” (Com 2006/104), summarising MemberStates’ progress since 2003 in establishing national coexistence strategies,implementing the Commission guidelines (Recommendation 2003/556/EC) andresponse.EEB fears that the delay strategy of the Commission is aimed at pursuing thesame approach as the 2006 report, which did not recommend an EU regulationon co-existence under the pretext of needing “to conclude the process ofimplementing national co-existence measures”.The 2006 report clearly shows that the Commission is failing. It is pressingMember States to define laws, while itself rejecting national proposals aimed atpreventing any GM contamination of organic and conventional farming. Byfavouring weak measures, such as a non-mandatory approach, the Commissionis opting for a ‘wait-and-contaminate’ approach which could be very damaging toorganic and conventional farming.Implementation of the Commission’s guidelines has so far been a failure acrossthe EU, owing to the clear practical difficulty of growing GM crops withoutcontaminating traditional and organic cultivation and citizens’ demands for GMfreefood and a GM-free local environment. Thousands of local and regionalauthorities around the EU are also demanding the exclusion of GM crops in theirarea, to protect their local economy, culture, environment and citizens’ health.14
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Memorandum to Czech Presidency and Ten Test - EEB

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