(PARIS) - A review of the European Union's procedures for vetting genetically modified crops does not imply the policy will undergo far-reaching change, a French environment minister said Friday.

"We are not fundamentally questioning the European system, or looking to overhaul procedure," said Nathalie Kosciusko-Morizet, secretary of state for ecology, at an informal meeting of the EU's 27 environment and energy ministers outside Paris.

While acknowledging that certain "concerns have emerged," she said the overall aim was to improve rules already in place.

"There remain doubts, about an insufficient number of evaluation and long-term impacts, and a need for more transparency," she told journalists during a break in the meetings.

The consumption of foods made from genetically modified organisms (GMO) is a thorny issue in Europe. Opinion polls show a majority of Europeans have health fears or environmental concerns about the novel crops.

Some EU nations have requested authorisation to declare certain regions "GMO-free," Kosciusko-Morizet said, without giving any further details.

France, which began its six-month presidency of the EU on July 1, called earlier this year for a review of GMO policy.

A new working group was set up at the meeting Friday, and is scheduled to deliver its findings in December.

One recommendation put to the ministers was to change the status of the experts in the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), and to toughen up the standards for authorising transgenic foods.

At the moment, EFSA gives a scientific opinion about GMOs that are seeking approval to enter the market. That opinion is then submitted to member states, which decide whether to allow the new product.

However, because member states are usually split on authorising GMOs, the decision reverts to the European Commission, which in turn usually follows EFSA's opinion.

France has banned the growing of a GMO maize variety produced by the US group Monsanto, the only genetically modified crop grown within the EU, mainly in Spain.

Informal meetings of the ministers responsible for environment and energy, 3-5 July, Paris

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