Update + actions to be undertaken by CIAA -- CEPS

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Date Posted: 00:40:52 02/08/02 Fri
Author: St�phanie
Subject: Update + actions to be undertaken by CIAA

Council:
Discussions in the Council under the Spanish presidency are slowly re-starting. The Spanish government has not given any instructions to its representatives on how to handle the two proposals (either move it quickly or block it). The Spanish health minister announced on 4/02 before the EP Environment committee that she did not expect to finish the dossier under their Presidency.
The discussions will continue in the Environment Council on GM Traceability. The Agriculture Council will be leading the discussions on GM Food and Feed.
There is some indication that Member governments are less and less positive to the Commission�s approach and that criticisms increase. Contacts with some national administrations confirm that �the battle may not be lost� yet and that industry should propose viable alternatives.

Parliament:
First exchange of views on both proposals will take place on 19-20/02 in the Environment Committee. The Industry Committee voted amendments to the proposal on GM traceability on 24/01. The Commission proposal was close to be rejected and amendments favourable to industry have been adopted. The Agriculture Committee organised a small hearing on 24/01 very positive to biotechnology. Draft reports will be under discussion on 18/02 (deadline for amendments 27/02). There is no timtable yet known for the EP Legal Affairs committee.
Commission: The Commission has adopted its communication �Life sciences and biotechnology � A strategy for Europe� in view of the Barcelona summit on 15-16/03. The communication invites (Action 19) Parliament and Council to speed up the adoption of the two proposals as a short-term regulatory action (timeframe: 2002).

CIAA actions:
�The Executive Committee, at its meeting on 22/01, confirmed that CIAA should maintain its opposition in principle but take part in the technical debate to at least maintain a reasonable level of practicability in the discussion of the proposals. CIAA should also start to think about possible alternative proposals.
Amendments tabled at the EP Industry committee indicate that such way of action may have impact. To maximise the impact, co-ordination with other industry associations is crucial.
�Discussions within the FCP Committee on 23/01 and the expert group �Novel Foods� on 24/01 (see MIN/021/02) have developed the arguments further. Amendments are being prepared in time for MEPs to table them before the deadlines. These draft amendments should further be discussed at the CDG/Sectors meeting on 12/02.
�Co-ordination with other �friendly� associations. A first meeting organised by CIAA on 14/01 was attended by all invited associations: EuropaBio, Fefac, Euroseeds, Coceral, ELC, Amfep, Celcaa, Copa-Cogeca, AAC and Fediol. All participants agreed to exchange information and co-ordinate actions in order to defend similar positions vis-�-vis EP. Participants also agreed to prepare fact-sheets on issues faced by industry in order to explain the unworkability of the proposals and justify amendments proposed by industry associations. A second meeting took place on 28/01 hosted by Copa-Cogeca, chaired by CIAA. A third meeting is planned for 15/02.

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