Association Greenpeace France and others v. French State, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, In the presence of Novartis Seeds SA and another Country/Territory European Union, France Type of court International court Date Mar 21, 2000 Source UNEP, InforMEA Court name European Court of Justice Seat of court Luxembourg Judge Rodríguez Iglesias, G.C.Moitinho de Almeida, J.C.Sevón, L.Schintgen, R.Kapteyn, P.J.G.Gulmann, C.Puissochet, J.-P,Hirsch, H.Wathelet, M.Skouris, V.Macken, F.Mischo, J. Reference number C-6/99 Language French Subject Cultivated plants, Agricultural & rural development, Environment gen. Keyword Agriculture and environment Ecosystem preservation Public health Ecological production/organic production GMO Abstract The GMO Directive 90/220 lays down the procedures for the release into the environment of products containing GMO's. The manufacturer / importer has to notify the competent authorities of the EC Member State. They examine whether the product is safe for the environment and human health and can reject the notification or forward it to the Commission with a favourable opinion. Other Member States can then raise objections, which many did in this case concerning genetically modified maize. As no agreement was reached between the Member States, the Commission could decide that the product is to be allowed on the market. The question before the ECJ was whether France still can or should refuse the maize on the market; it was raised due to a French court procedure where procedural deficiencies and violation of the precautionary principle were brought up. The ECJ indicates among other things that under the strict conditions set out in the Directive, France can still refuse to allow the genetically modified maize on its market. For the decision of 22 November 2000 by the Conseil d'État following this ruling, see below under 'National judiciary'. Full text Association Greenpeace France v. French State french.pdf Association Greenpeace France v. French State english.pdf Website curia.europa.eu References Cites Council Directive 90/220/EEC on the deliberate release into the environment of genetically modified organisms. Legislation | European Union | 1990 Keyword: Genetically modified organism (GMO), Pollution control, Authorization/permit, Access-to-information, Inspection, Research Source: FAO, FAOLEX