The Council of Agricultural ministers discussed on Thursday 21st Feb the co-existence of GMO and non-GMO farming. EU Commissioner Fischler annouced a first suggestion on March 5th and a round table to be held on the issue end of April. A first paper of a Steering group on Life Sciences and Biotechnology within the EU Commission presents various options how to deal with contamination of conventional and organic crops with GMOs, but takes a rather economic approach so far. While a majority of member states requested formal legislation on the issue, the Commission rather prefers a lose code of conduct and wants to leave the enforcement to the member states. On March 4th the Council of Environmental Ministers will also discuss the issue.</p><p><a href="http://www.zs-l.de/gmo/downloads/ag_council_21_02_03.pdf">Short report from the Council of Ag Ministers</a></p><p><a href="http://www.zs-l.de/gmo/downloads/EU_coexistence_report_dec_02.pdf">Working Paper of the Commissions Steering Group on Co-existence</a>