Comitology between Political Decision-Making and Technocratic Governance: Regulating GMOs in the European Union

Technological advance has led to important changes in many areas, and in the process has created new challenges for the regulatory activity of public bodies. One area that has caused particular controversy has been that of genetic modifications to organisms. Genetically-modified organisms (GMOs) have been introduced in a range of foodstuffs and animal feeds, leading to debates about the balance between the benefits and the risks associated with this technology. Across the world, authorities have had to make choices concerning the regulation of GMOs, be it about permissions for industrial trials, the cultivation of GMO crops, or the authorisation of trade in GMO products. In Europe, the challenges related to the regulation of GMOs are met within the decision-making process of the EU. A number of legislative acts have established a regulatory framework for the authorisation of cultivation, import, use and sale of GMOs and their placing on the market as food or food ingredients. Within this framework, powers to decide on individual applications from market operators are delegated to the European Commission, which in turn is working with both Member State representatives through comitology committees and scientific experts, especially through the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). om itlogy betw en poitical desion-m aing nd tecocratic gornance Comitology between Political Decision-Making and Technocratic Governance: Regulating GMOs in the European Union