EU ministers reject Danish deal on GMO cultivation

By Jane Byrne

- Last updated on GMT

Related tags Member states European union Gm

EU environment ministers have rejected a compromise proposal from Denmark that bid to break the deadlock over the cultivation of genetically modified (GM) crops in Europe. 

The politicians debated the new rules at the EU Council’s Environment meeting last Friday in an attempt to try and resolve the current stalemate over the authorisation of such crops.

EU member states are split over GM crops, with some countries calling for them to be banned and others urging the Commission to boost crop approvals.

And a blocking minority, which included members states such as France, Germany and Belgium, prevented the concessionary deal from going through, a source for the EU council told FoodNavgiator this morning.

Bid to unblock approvals impasse

The European Commission introduced new rules in 2010 in an attempt to unblock EU decision-making on GM approvals, which had reached an impasse - only two GM varieties had been allowed to be grown in the block in over 12 years.

Denmark currently holds the presidency of the EU’s Council of Ministers and the aim of its proposal was to provide a legal basis for member states to restrict or prohibit the cultivation of GMOs in their territory.

But countries wishing to ban GM crops had to devise reasons for doing so other than those already addressed by the harmonised set of EU rules, which take into account the health and environmental risks that growing GMOs may pose. 

However, some member states suggested it would be extremely challenging to devise possible reasons beyond health and environmental ones.

In addition, said the EU council spokersperson, there was not enough in the compromise text to reassure certain member states regarding the free circulation of goods within the EU.

Bilateral approach next step

The EU council source said the Danish presidency, which has made this issue a priority, will now engage various member states in bilateral talks to try and achieve a breakthrough over the cultivation of GM crops before the next Council meeting in June.

Pete Riley, campaign director of GM Freeze, said: “Clearly many member states remain concerned that the Danish text did not provide the legal certainty required to invoke GM cultivation bans, and others were not convinced the proposals were in harmony with the internal market."

He said that the group welcomes the outcome of Friday's debate, claiming that it gives member states the opportunity to strengthen the proposals to ensure countries who wish to ban GM crops have a clear, legally sound basis for doing so.

"Any proposal must address the need to protect farmers, growers and beekeeper from GM contamination in countries permitting GM cultivation, including placing strict liability for all harm on the companies that market GM seed. We welcome the principle that countries should be able to decide what they grow and eat, particularly as the majority of citizens remain opposed to the introduction of GMOs,”​ added Riley.

BASF pulls GM plug

In January this year, ingredients and chemicals giant, BASF, announced it was pulling the plug on its European operations in genetically modified plant development due to a lack of acceptance in the market.

The German company said it would relocate the headquarters of its BASF Plant Science group from Limburgerhof in Germany to Raleigh in the US.

The company added that its development and commercialisation of all GM products targeted solely at cultivation in the European market will be halted – these include four varieties of potato and one of wheat.

“We are convinced that plant biotechnology is a key technology for the 21st century. However, there is still a lack of acceptance for this technology in many parts of Europe – from the majority of consumers, farmers and politicians,”​ said Dr Stefan Marcinowski, a member of the BASF board of executive directors, responsible for plant biotechnology.

  

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4 comments

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Thank you Europe!

Posted by dzidka,

Thank you France!

Why people in USA and Canada still growing those seeds is not comprehensible. Maybe high levels of Roundup residues in their blood making them docile and stupid.
Wake up America!

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No one wants GMO, aside from biotech investors! :P

Posted by Max_Genus,

I agree with the previous two commentators. In fact, groups in the US are trying to educate citizens and move them to support a demand that FDA officials requires labeling of food with GMO ingredients:

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Wish I Were in Europe

Posted by Kathleen,

I am a US citizen who is bombarded by GMOs. The only way that I can avoid them is by eating 100% organic food. Most people in the US do not seem to realize that we aren't talking about hybrid tomatoes. GMOs pose a serious issue.

Did you know that a study confirmed that 55% of rats born to animals fed GMO soy while pregnant died?
http://www.rense.com/general68/rats.htm

Do you know that GMO corn has been developed that contains 2,4-D, a major component of Agent Orange? Exposure to 2,4-D causes cancer, reproductive problems, neurotoxicity, and immunosuppression. It contains dioxin, one of the "dirty dozen" group of extremely toxic chemicals that are resistant to environmental degradation. Does anyone want their children to eat crops sprayed with a chemical component of Agent Orange? Does anyone want it in their groundwater?
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2012/02/12/dow-agrosciences-developed-new-genetically-modified-crops.aspx?e_cid=20120212_SNL_Art_1

Count your blessings that your leaders care about your health!

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