Member states to be allowed ban GM crops for ethical reasons

COUNTRIES will be able to ban the growing of genetically modified crops for socio-economic and ethical reasons under new proposals for the controversial but multi-billion euro industry.

The EU is split down the middle on whether to allow GM crops or not with Ireland being declared a GM-free island for cultivation although vast amounts of GM animal feed are imported and sold to farmers each year.

The split meant no new GM crops were approved by the EU for more than a decade despite complaints to the WTO by the US and huge pressure from multi-nationals like Monsanto.