Relating precaution to proportionality: how to proceed with Directive 90/220 concerning the deliberate release of genetically modified organisms into the environment

The European Commission has proposed the amendment of the current Directive 90/220, concerning the deliberate release of genetically modified organisms into the environment. During 1998, the European Parliament and the European Council will respond to the Commission's proposal. In the context of the Directive, public pressure from bioindustry, environmental and consumer organisations have called for a continuation of the precautionary approach as well an approach which would be proportional to the risks involved. This paper seeks a way forward towards consensual decision making on this controversial subject and evaluates the new proposal of the European Commission in the light of basic notions required for a Directive that would meet the necessary standards for both precaution and proportianality