GM move avoids fracturing livestock sector

The European Parliament’s decision to reject a draft law to allow member states to prohibit the sale of GM food has helped avoid fracturing the livestock sector, said Mairead McGuinness MEP.

“The decision makes sense and I very much welcome it as an acknowledgement that the EU livestock sector requires the importation of protein, mainly GM soya,” said Ms McGuinness, vice-president of the European Parliament.

“Had this proposal been approved it could have led to member states banning GM protein to the detriment of livestock farmers. Such a ban would also have the potential to break up the single market and result in distortion of competition between member states.”