Socio-economic impacts of GMOs

Transcription

1 Socio-economic impacts of GMOs European GMO Socio-Economic Bureau Socio-economic considerations in the Cartagena Protocol for Biosafety Workshop Preparation for the presidency of the Council of the EU: Biosafety and GMO file 19 June 2013, Vilnius Thomas Brégeon Directorate Health and Consumers European Commission

2 Understanding socio-economic impacts of GMO cultivation and use Directive 2001/18/EC Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 Investigations and methodological discussions worldwide (e.g. Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety) Repeated requests by the Council, European Parliament and stakeholders to gather and analyse existing data in the EU context.

3 Environment Council of December 2008 The information gap on the socio-economic impact of GMO cultivation needs to be filled. The Member States should collect and exchange relevant socio-economic information by January The Commission should prepare a report based on the information provided by the Member States by June 2010 for due consideration and discussion.

4 Implementing the Environment Council conclusions The Commission took responsibility for supervising information collection Indicative questionnaire sent to Member States and EFTA countries Stakeholders also invited to contribute directly Information collection outcome 25 out of 27 Member States answered (and Norway) 4 direct inputs by stakehodlers Report published in April 2011

5 Conclusions of the 2011 report Move from polarised perceptions to more tangible and objective results; Initiate an advanced reflection at EU level (MS and Commission, consultation of stakeholders), with sound scientific basis; EC and Members states should work on: Defining factors to capture the socio-economic consequences of cultivation of GMOs, from seed industry to consumers Built up methodological framework to define indicators and collect data Consult stakeholders Explore the uses of the generated information

6 Implementing the conclusions of the 2011 report EC Public hearing on "socio-economic dimensions of GMO cultivation" on 18 October 2011 Joint JRC/FAO International workshop on the scientific state of play in November 2011 In May 2012 the Commission sent a proposal to the Member States to form a technical working group to deepen the insights in the socio-economic impacts of GMO cultivation in the EU.

7 European GMO Socio-Economics Bureau (ESEB) A technical working group composed of experts from member states and the EC to achieve the objectives. Mission: organize and facilitate the exchange of technical and scientific information on SE implications of cultivation and use of GMOs between MS and EC Scope: impacts of GM crop cultivation in all sectors of the EU economy. Focus on crops of relevance currently approved or in the regulatory pipeline 7

8 European GMO Socio-Economics Bureau (ESEB) Expected Outputs Reference Documents General methodological framework to investigate the socioeconomic impacts of GM crop cultivation in Europe Sets of indicators for socio-economic impacts at country/eu level (per crop/trait combinations) Define methodologies for data collection and for economic analyses in a way that x-comparison of data between MS is possible Research/analysis If necessary, analyze socio-economic data generated by Member States or any other relevant source and make the analysis available via public reporting 8

9 European GMO Socio-Economics Bureau (ESEB) ESEB secretariat: scientific staff of the Joint Research Center of the Commission in Sevilla Organize & chair the work Analyze information collected Organize technical hearings/visits as appropriate Draft consensus documents based on contributions of TWG members ESEB Technical Working Group: Experts nominated by member states Kick off meeting held in January 2013 in Sevilla 9

10 ESEB kick off January countries nominated a member: AT,BE,DK,FR,DE,HU,FI,IE,LT,NL,NO,PT,RO,SI,ES,SE &UK Validation of the Terms of Reference by Dir. 2001/18 Competent Authorities last May Comments on the Work Programme by the Advisory Forum for the Food Chain until 17 June 10

11 5 Consensus Documents by the end of 2016 A general framework to asses the socio-economic impact of GM crop cultivation in Europe Indicators for ex ante/ ex post assessment of Bt maize Indicators for ex ante assessment of HT maize Indicators for ex ante assessment of HT soybean Indicators for ex ante assessment of HT sugar beet The order of the Consensus Documents was agreed on based on the status of the crop/trait combination in EFSA and the relevance of the crop for the EU 11

12 In EFSA pipeline HT sugar beet EFSA opinion HT maize HT soybean Approved Bt maize

13 Deliverable I Deliverable II Deliverable III Deliverable IV Deliverable V General framework Bt maize HT maize HT soybean HT sugar beet ESEB plenary meeting Working period 13

14 For further questions and remarks on ESEB Website under preparation: 14

15 Socio-economic considerations (SEC) in the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety Article 26: Socio-economic considerations The parties, in reaching a decision on import under the Protocol or under its domestic measures implementing the Protocol, may take into account, consistently with their international obligations, socioeconomic considerations arising from the impact of living modified organisms on the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity, especially with regards to indigenous and local communities. The parties are encouraged to cooperate on research and information exchange on any socio-economic impact on living modified organisms, especially on indigenous and local communities. 15

16 Socio-economic considerations (SEC) in the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety Adoption in November 2012 of an action plan at COP-MOP VI Contribute to the development of conceptual clarity on SEC Allow COP-MOP VII to deliberate and decide on appropriate further steps to fullfil operational objective 1.7 of the CPB strategic plan on SEC Activity 1: Compilation, stock-taking and review of information To be delivered in June/July 2013 Activity 2: online discussions and online real-time conferences Global online forum in March-April 2013 Regional online conferences in June-July 2013 Activity 3: Convening an ad-hoc technical expert group 16

17 Global online forum/regional conferences Online discussion convened 110 participants. 52% of messages posted from developed countries/48% from developing countries. Objective: discussion and exchange of views, information and experience on SEC based on guiding questions: What does decision of import mean? What are SEC arising from the impact of living modified organisms on the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity? How to measure the value of biological diversity to indigenous and local communities? How to ensure consistency with international obligations? 17

18 Thank you for your attention! 18