European Commission Demands Bulgaria 'Correctly Implement' Regulatory Legislation
What happens when an EU country fails to "correctly implement" a legislative directive? A harsh scolding from the European Commission (EC) and threats to haul the country before a the European Court of Justice.
That's the lesson Bulgaria is learning today, as the EC fired off a statement to the country demanding it put Directive 2009/41/EC-which regulates "activities around genetically modified micro-organisms such as when they are cultured, stored, transported, destroyed or used in any other way"-into place "correctly."
"Directive 2009/41/EC requires Member States to ensure that all measures necessary are taken in order to avoid activities around genetically modified micro-organisms having negative consequences on human health and/or the environment," EC said in a statement.
EC claims Bulgaria's implementation of the directive was "not correct," as it fails to regulate activities that are not perceived to be of any risk.
In its statement to the EC explaining this, Bulgaria claims further legislation on its part "is not necessary, given a general presumption that all activity around genetically modified micro-organisms contains a potential risk, albeit minimal."
EC disagreed with this assessment, and said Bulgaria has two months to take action before the matter is referred to the European Court of Justice.
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