The EU Council of Agriculture met in Brussels on 22 July. With the contrary vote of Denmark, Luxembourg and the UK accompanied by some reservations voiced by Austria the 15 formally approved the new regulation on the labelling and treaceability of GMOs in foodstuffs destined for human consumption and animal fodder (cf. SirEurope no.53/2003). At the same time, the College of the Commission approved a series of recommendations to the member states on GMO guidelines on Wednesday 23 July; a majority favourable to the co-existence in specific areas between GMO crops and so-called ‘GMO-free’ crops was registered at the meeting. The Italian Presidency has planned a debate on the issue between Ministers of Agriculture in September. The Council also approved the document presented by Italy on the strategy for employment in rural areas; the document emphasises the need to promote the insertion of the young and women in the sector and to review EU funding in the light of the reform of the CAP and EU enlargement. The Council also agreed on a further tightening of the belt to control agricultural expenditures. The Commission has asked member states for the refund of subsidies granted to the sector amounting to over 115 million euros: the measure is especially targeted at Greece and Italy, accused of not having carried out the necessary controls on the production of olive oil, fruit and vegetables, textile plants and seeds.
