http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/sci/tech/newsid_2089000/2089320.stm

GM research has come to a virtual standstill in Europe

Plans to enforce stricter labelling of genetically modified foods across the European Union have been agreed by members of the European Parliament.
Under current EU rules, only food with more than 1% of GM material has to be labelled.

The proposals, which still have to be agreed by EU environment ministers before becoming law, would include the labelling of GM derivatives in such products as sugar and oils.

But the parliament failed to agree on extra measures demanded by some MEPs to label milk, meat and eggs from animals reared on genetically modified feeds.

Public anxiety

The European Commission believes stricter labelling could help dispel the notion that the biotechnology industry has something to hide.

But those involved in the industry say the proposed rules would set them back by decades.

For the last four years, there has been an effective moratorium across the EU on the commercial growing of genetically modified crops.

Public anxiety about the technology has meant research has come to a virtual standstill.

The new legislation may give consumers more information, but the BBC's Shireen Wheeler says it could also lead to a trade dispute with the United States, where the export of genetically-modified crops and products is worth billions of dollars.