Monsanto-killer or Trojan Horse? New law lets EU states ban GM ...

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Reuters / Alessandro Garofalo
30

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Tags
The European Union has approved a law that
Biology, EU, GMO, Law
will enable the blocs 28 member states to
restrict the cultivation of genetically modified crops, even if the EU has
declared them as safe. The law comes despite furious lobbying from
multinationals.
Previously, countries that opposed the cultivation of crops approved by
Brussels potentially faced legal challenges. Now, any country may
unilaterally ban a particular genetically modified variety of seed or even
groups of GMOs defined by crop or trait and additionally demand that

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Monsanto-killer or Trojan Horse? New law lets EU states ban GM ...

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their neighbors do not contaminate their fields.

The EU legislation will come into force in spring next year, pending a
formal agreement from the individual states. Among the states likely to
find use for the statute are France, Germany, Austria and Poland, which
have consistently opposed gene-splicing technologies.

The agreement, if confirmed, would meet member states' consistent calls

since 2009 to have the final say on whether or not GMOs can be cultivated
on their territory, in order to better take into account their national context
and, above all, the views of their citizens, said a statement from EU Food
Safety Commissioner Vytenis Andriukaitis.
The text agreed is in line with EU President Junckers commitment, as
reflected in his political guidelines, to give the democratically elected
governments at least the same weight as scientific advice when it comes to
important decisions concerning food and environment.
Some scientists and industry groups say the decision undermines the
continent-wide system of certification, a key tenet of the EUs common
market, as well allowing irrational prejudices to overrule reasoned study.
All previous EU-commissioned studies have failed to detect harm from
GMOs.
Biotech giants had hoped that a clause would be included in the
legislation that would force governments to consult with them before
terminating any crop.

An anti-GMO activist holds a bag containing "MON 810", a variety of

genetically modified maize (corn) developed by Monsanto (AFP Photo /
Eric Cabanis)

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Rejecting modern technologies on non-scientific grounds sets a dangerous

precedent for the internal market and sends a negative signal for innovative
industries worldwide considering whether or not to invest and operate in
Europe, said a written statement from EuropaBio, the European
Association for Bioindustries.
Yet some believe that the new law will allow the deadlock over GM crops
to be broken after nearly two decades of controversy. Due to opposition
from the EU heavyweights, only one GM crop has been approved since
1998. About 0.1 percent of land on the continent is used to grow
genetically-modified crops, specifically Monsantos MON810 maize.
Officials have speculated that the new nation-oriented rules will allow
more leeway for proponents of GM crops, such as Britain and the Iberian
states, to go ahead.
READ MORE: Scientists urge UK govt to ditch dysfunctional GMO
regulations
The new law is "finally opening the door to genetically-modified organisms
across Europe, in spite of citizens' clear opposition," said Green MEP Bart
Staes, who called the new proposal a Trojan Horse.

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Meanwhile, market leader Monsanto, which last year said it would not try
to get any more GM crops approved in Europe, remained unperturbed,
insisting its business does not rely on favors from the EU.
What we sell in Europe today is 99.5 percent conventional seeds. So if you
think about it, we are not a GMO company, Leticia Goncalves, the
companys Europe and Middle East regional president, told the media.
To be honest, we have a very healthy business today in terms of growth
expectations, said the executive of the US-based company, which had
revenues of nearly $15 billion last year.
30

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OMG. the future is Shocking.

3D-Print Today

3 comments
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Eusebio pecurto
great news
2 minutes ago

Reply

+2

Jon

Good move! These Frankenstein seeds have not been proved safe, why tamper with
nature? The long term effects are scary.
5 minutes ago

Reply

+1

Lee

Do developed countries such as France and Germany have advanced knowledge

about the negative impact of GMOs?
10 minutes ago

Reply

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