EUROPE: EU approves use of GM vines

The development of genetically engineered varieties of vines within the European Union has - in effect - been approved by the EU Council of Ministers, which has agreed detailed changes to the European directive on the marketing of material for the vegetative propagation of the vine. These approve the release of genetically modified (GM) vines "only if all the appropriate steps have been taken to avoid endangering human health and the environment." The Council added that this would entail environmental impact assessments being carried out.