It is not yet clear how long the ECJ ruling will remain valid. In September 2012, the European Commission adopted a proposal to amend the rules on honey, which would reclassify pollen as a “natural constituent” of honey, instead of as an ingredient as in the ECJ ruling. However, nothing is likely to change where GM pollen is concerned: pollen from GM plants would be permitted only if the plants are authorised for food use in the EU.
The Commission’s proposal needs the majority approval of the European Parliament and member states before it can be made law.