2014-06-12 | permalink

Member states agree on right to ban GMO cultivation at national level

Brussels – After three years of stalemate, environment ministers are expected to agree today on a draft law which allegedly gives EU countries the right to stop genetically modified (GM) crops from being grown on their land. Greenpeace warns that the compromise text negotiated by the Greek presidency is riddled with legal holes. Greenpeace EU agriculture policy director Marco Contiero said: “Environment ministers want to give member states the right to ban GMO cultivation on their land, but the text they agreed today does not deliver on what it promises. It would still leave those countries that want to say ‘no’ to GMOs exposed to legal attacks of the biotech industry.” Greenpeace criticises that the text agreed by ministers today would give biotech companies an official role in the banning process, and that it would prevent member states from using health and environmental risks posed by GM crops as justification for restricting their cultivation at national level.

• Member states agree on right to ban GMO cultivation at national level | Greenpeace EU Unit
• Ministers support giving biotech companies say on GM bans - Friends of the Earth Europe
• Last ENVI Council to take place in Luxembourg (12.06.2014) | gr2014.eu - Greek Presidency of the Council of the European Union
• Greek compromise is Trojan horse for GMOs in Europe - The Greens | European Free Alliance
• Statement by Commissioner Borg following Council's political agreement to allow the prohibition of GMO cultivation
• Legislation on GMO cultivation - European Commission