EU to seek approval of new GM crop varieties

ON July 13, the European Commission will seek greater freedom to approve new genetically modified varieties for cultivation, in return for letting EU governments decide whether or not to grow them.

The plan would allow large-scale, commercial planting in pro-GM countries such as Spain, the Netherlands, and the Czech Republic, while legally endorsing existing GM bans in countries such as Italy, Austria, and Hungary. The proposals are expected to include new guidelines on co-existence of GM and non-GM cultivation, such as buffer zones of 10 km (6.2 miles) between the crops.

The legislative change would have to be agreed by a qualified majority of EU governments and the European Parliament, and is likely to trigger years of political argument before a decision is reached — although the commission is said to be confident it can win majority support. With most Europeans showing no appetite for GM produce in food, EU politicians have approved just two varieties for growing in 12 years, compared to more than 150 worldwide.