Genetically modified crop industry upset with decision to allow each EU member the authority to approve or ban crops
BRUSSELS, Belgium (Reuters) — Individual European Union countries will be able to ban cultivation of genetically modified crops under a compromise deal that ends years of deadlock over the controversial issue.
A list of GM products is awaiting EU approval and the Jan. 13 vote in the European Parliament opens the way for authorities to review it.
Countries will be able to opt out of any eventual GM approvals, but environment campaigners said the new law was not robust enough.
Some players in the GM industry were also unhappy, complaining that the compromise meant countries would be able to reject GM crops for unscientific reasons.
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GM crops are widely grown in the Americas and Asia, but opinion in Europe is divided. Many countries, including France and Germany, oppose them, while others, such as Great Britain, favour them.
An earlier attempt to agree on a compromise failed in 2012.
The recent vote is almost the final stage in the legislative process.
The plan will become law once it has been signed off by member states and published officially, which is expected in the coming weeks.
Vytenis Andriukaitis, European commissioner for health and food safety, welcomed the outcome.
“The agreement meets member states’ consistent calls since 2009 to have the final say on whether or not GMOs can be cultivated on their territory,” he said.
EU authorities have approved only two GM crops for commercial cultivation. One was later blocked by one of the EU’s top courts, which found EU authorities had failed to follow the rules when they approved it.
EuropaBio, which represents companies such as Syngenta and Monsanto, argued the compromise deal sent a negative signal to industries considering investing in Europe.
“This is a stop sign for innovation in Europe,” said Jeff Rowe, chair of EuropaBio’s Agri-Food Council.
However, Bart Staes, who represents Green politicians in the European Parliament, said the Greens voted against the accord because it would ease the way for GM crops in Europe.
