Two independent reports have been published on the European Union's legislation on Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs). Their evaluation concludes that although there is broad support for the legislation's objectives and show that recent legislative Commission initiatives are heading in the right direction, the documents also note that some adjustments are necessary.

The reports published by the Commission evaluating the European Union's legislation on Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) conclude that there is broad support for the legislation's objectives and show that recent legislative Commission initiatives are heading in the right direction. However the documents also note that some adjustments are necessary if the EU is to meet the objectives of the legislation -the protection of health and the environment and the creation of an internal market- and to ensure that the legislation is properly implemented.

The evaluations assessed the effectiveness and efficiency of the legislative processes and formulated options for the improvement and adjustment of the system. Both reports conclude that the authorisation system could be more efficient, GMO cultivation would benefit from more flexibility and the risk assessment process from further harmonisation. The evaluation reports confirm that many actions the European Commission has launched in recent months are on the right track. For example, the Commission's package on GMO cultivation adopted in July 2010, and responding to the need for more flexibility on GMO cultivation, is identified as one such action. The more flexible approach on GM cultivation preserves the strict EU-wide authorisation system already in place, which is based on science, safety and consumer choice, the relevant report notes adding that the system could be made more efficient.

The Commission published in April 2011 a report on socio-economic implications of GM crops, based on contributions from the Member States. The Commission followed up by launching on 18 October 2011 a process to assist Member States in the collection and sharing of information. In addition, the Commission will propose in the coming weeks more precise requirements for the submission of authorisation applications for imported products for food and feed use.