 
Brussels, 04 june 2008
THE EU ENVIRONMENT COUNCIL MUST ENSURE COMPLETE SEGREGATION OF GM SOURCES.
Brussels, 4 June 2008 - Euro Coop, the European Community of Consumer Co-operatives, urges the European Environment Council, meeting on 5 June in Luxembourg, to oppose the establishment of a threshold of tolerance for the contamination of agricultural products by unauthorised GMOs.
Euro Coop expresses its concern that, by allowing such measure, the precautionary principle could be seriously weakened, thereby leading to possible risks for consumer's health. In this respect, Euro Coop believes that more research into GMOs is still required. It is indeed necessary to investigate the mid and long-term effects that the use of GMOs could have on human health and the environment, as well as their economic and social impacts. With no extensive conclusions on the mid and long-term effects of the use of GMOs, the complete segregation of GM sources remains necessary. Euro Coop believes that this provision is also utterly needed not to undermine European consumer's confidence and ensure his basic right to choose between GM and non-GM food.
Caution, sound science and the consumer's right to choose must be integrated into the European decision-making process. On the failure to do so, the EU would suffer a loss of credibility that would undermine its future impact on global policy making.
EURO COOP is the European Community of Consumer Cooperatives, whose members are the national organisations of consumer cooperatives in 18 European countries. Created in 1957, EURO COOP today represents over 3,200 local and regional cooperatives, the members of which amount to more than 25 million consumers across Europe. For more information please contact:
Rosita Zilli, Policy Adviser, Euro Coop
Tel: +32 (0)2 285 00 72
E-mail: rzillioateurocoop.coop
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