Biotech Updates

EU Countries to Decide Independently About GMO Cultivation

July 16, 2010

The European Commission submitted a proposal that all EU member countries would have the freedom to decide whether to restrict or prohibit the planting of EU authorized GM crops. They came up with this preposition because there is conflicting positions in the EU, and it is difficult to come up with joint decisions regarding GM crops cultivation. However, EU would continue to approve cultivation of GMOs based on the scientific approvals concerning their safety and then the countries would decide for their territories.

John Dalli, the European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Policy, said that "experience has shown EU countries need more flexibility to decide where, if at all, GM crops are grown." The proposal is still subject for approval of EU governments and the European parliament.

For more details, visit http://ec.europa.eu/news/agriculture/100714_en.htm.