Results for: EU policy

Hungary’s decision to reopen the debate on treating new generation GM plants as equivalent to conventional crops threatens to delay the agrotech industry’s hopes for easing regulations. The Hungarian presidency’s stance clashes with the European Food Safety Authority’s (EFSA) scientific opinion, which supports the equivalence of certain GM crops to conventionally bred plants. The debate raises concerns about risk assessment, patenting, and potential monopolies, with advocates and opponents highlighting their respective perspectives.

The European Commission has outlined criteria for determining when the use of dangerous chemicals is justified, but environmental groups are calling for stricter measures to reduce pollution and health risks. The guidance, intended to guide producers towards safer processes, has been met with mixed reactions from industry and campaigners. The European Chemicals Agency is considering a proposed ban on PFAS, while the European Parliament has approved reforms to packaging and labeling regulations. However, a planned revision of the REACH regulation, aimed at accelerating the process of restricting harmful chemicals, has been shelved.

The European Parliament has adopted its Pact on Migration and Asylum, an update to EU policies on migrants and refugees. The pact aims to tighten borders and make it easier to deport asylum seekers, but critics argue it will institutionalize inequality and ignore the need for improved migration governance.