EU Parliament's environmental committee supports relaxing rules on genetically modified plants
Lawmakers on the European Parliament’s environment committee are backing a proposal to relax rules on genetically modified plants produced using so-called new genomic techniques
BRUSSELS (AP) — Lawmakers on the European Parliament’s environment committee on Wednesday backed a proposal to relax rules on genetically modified plants produced using so-called new genomic techniques, prompting strong criticism from environmental groups.
The issue of genetically modified organisms divided the European Union for a generation before the bloc adopted legislation in 2001.
The Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety adopted its position on a European Commission proposal to relax those rules with 47 votes to 31 with four abstentions.
The European Parliament is now expected to vote on the proposed law during its Feb. 5-8 plenary session before it can start negotiations with EU member countries, which remain divided on the issue.
