News

07/31/03
The End of the moratorium on genetically modified food turns the ABIC 2004 conference into Europe’s most important date for AgBiotech in 2004.

Tuesday, July 22nd the European Union’s Secretaries of Agriculture enacted a bylaw on genetically modified food and animal feed and their traceability that formally ends the general denial of admission of genetically modified organisms which has been in place in the European Union since 1998.

The regulations will become effective 20 days after their publication in the European Union Official Journal. The food industry will have 6 months to adjust to the new labelling regulations.

In addition, on July 23 guidelines for the “development of national strategies and best practices to ensure the coexistence of genetically modified crops with conventional and organic farming” were issued. Thus the European Commission is clearly indicating a further liberalisation of the agricultural commodity market in regard to the application and cultivation of optimised crops.

According to EC’s consumer protection commissioner David Byrne licensing procedures for new genetically changed plants can now be reintro-duced. He estimates that first admissions may be granted as early as October 2003.

This changed political situation increases the im-portance of the ABIC 2004 conference for the European agrarian economy, which is scheduled to take place in September 2004 in Cologne, Germany.

The ABIC organisers will compile a conference program detailing the requirements and consequences of the new regulations. This will provide to both the European and non-European audience first-hand information about the potential of the European market.

The trade fair that is associated with the conference will also offer AgBiotech companies a unique opportunity for a successful market entrance in Europe.

Imprint: ABIC 2004 Conference Office
Kölsumer Weg 33 D-41334 Nettetal