Environment NGO Friends of the Earth Malta has welcomed the government decision to opt-out of an EU directive on growing genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

"This is a positive step forward which reflects the Government’s previous votes on GMOs at EU level," it said

Martin Galea De Giovanni, Director of Friends of the Earth Malta said: “There has never been a clearer signal that GMOs, and the companies that make them, are not wanted in Europe. The technology is not only risky, it’s redundant. People, and the governments that represent them, are rejecting them outright.” 

Alternattiva also welcomed the government's decision. A 

'Ideally GMOs cultivation should be banned all over the EU but  following present circumstances we believe that the Maltese government took the right decision by proclaiming Malta as a GMO free territory,' AD said.