Keywords
Summary

Keywords

Environment — Freedom of access to information — Directive 90/313 — Information relating to the environment — Definition — Information on compliance with the rules on labelling of foodstuffs produced from genetically modified organisms — Not included — (Council Regulation No 1139/98, Council Directive 90/313, Art. 2(a))

Summary

Directive 90/313 on the freedom of access to information on the environment is not intended to give a general and unlimited right of access to all information held by public authorities which has a connection, however minimal, with one of the environmental factors mentioned in Article 2(a). To be covered by the right of access it establishes, such information must fall within one or more of the three categories set out in that provision. Article 2(a) is thus to be interpreted as meaning that the name of the manufacturer and the product description of foodstuffs which have been the subject of administrative measures for controlling compliance with Regulation No 1139/98 concerning the compulsory indication [in] the labelling of certain foodstuffs produced from genetically modified organisms of particulars other than those provided for in Directive 79/112 concerning the labelling and presentation of foodstuffs, the number of administrative penalties imposed following those measures, and the producers and products concerned by such penalties do not constitute information relating to the environment within the meaning of that provision. Regulation No 1139/98 is intended to add further information to that which must already be mentioned on the labelling of certain foodstuffs under Directive 79/112, which was not designed as a measure for protection of the environment.

see paras 25, 33, 35, operative part