MEPs give member states right to ban GMO cultivation

MEPs have redrafted European Commissioner John Dalli’s proposal to allow member states decide for themselves about the cultivation of genetically modified organism (GMO), strengthening the hand of states wanting to maintain the ban on this type of agriculture.

Despite the change to the original proposal, the text of the new legislation still has to be approved by member states, something which remains doubtful due to the resistance to the idea of dismantling the present EU-wide ban on cultivation of GMO crops.

European public opinion is opposed to the technology but pressure is growing on the Commission from multi-national companies to allow GM technology.

Through the EP’s amendments, the new rules would allow member states to restrict or ban the cultivation on their territory of GM crops even if they are given safety approval at EU level.

The Commission’s initial proposal suggested that member states could restrict or ban their cultivation on all but health or environmental grounds, which were to be assessed solely by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

Mr Dalli’s proposals had sparked a wave of criticism, with businesses fearing they could lead to fragmentation of the internal market, bringing legal uncertainty for farmers while other stakeholders said they were incompatible with World Trade Organisation rules.

Through its amendments, the EP is now seeking to provide member states with a solid legal basis for banning GM crop cultivation and to give them better legal protection in the event of challenges from trading partners opposed to the ban.

Among the new reasons for banning GM cultivation, member states can now cite environmental grounds such as pesticide resistance, the invasiveness of certain crops and threats to biodiversity among others.

Welcoming the outcome of the EP’s initiative, Greenpeace warned that national bans were no substitute for thorough safety testing at EU level.

Greenpeace EU agriculture policy adviser Stefanie Hundsdorfer said the EP added real punch to draft laws to protect EU farms and food. “We and a growing majority of the public remain seriously concerned about unanswered health and environmental questions around GM crops. Ecological farming is the correct response to the challenges of food security, climate change and long-term productivity,” she said.

All five Maltese MEPs backed the amendments.