5. European regulations applied to GM plants

The first Community text on the subject dates back to 1990. This was Directive 90/220 on the deliberate release of GMOs. This text covers all types of GMOs, from medicines to foods, and all possible uses. It covers both experimentation and marketing. The scope of this directive has been narrowed by the adoption of more specific texts, starting with a 1993 regulation on medicinal products, Regulation 2309/93, which covers all GMO medicinal products.

In 1997, a "Novel Foods" regulation (258/97) was adopted; it covers non-GMO and GMO foods, and removes GMO foods from the scope of the directive. This regulation covers both GMPs which are organisms (plants, seeds) and products derived from GMPs (flours, oils, etc.), but which are no longer organisms themselves.

In 2001, Directive 90/220 was repealed and replaced by Directive 2001/18, which has...