EU Governments Maintain GM Crop Bans

By Geoff Meade, PA Europe Editor, in Brussels
24 June 2005


European governments defied the Brussels Commission today by 
voting for the right to keep bans on genetically-modified 
crops and food.

Five member states – Austria, Luxembourg, Germany, France and 
Greece – were under pressure to give up their current bans 
because of a trade dispute in which the US claims they are illegal.

The Commission, backed by the UK, recommended giving up the bans 
ahead of an expected World Trade Organisation ruling this summer 
which might outlaw them anyway.

The bans were imposed in the five countries between 1997 and 2000 
on safety grounds, but Washington says they are an unfair trade 
barrier.

The Commission had urged all EU governments to support its proposal 
requiring the five to lift the bans within 20 days.

Refusal to do so signals a “significant” shift in position across the 
EU against Commission’s GM policy, according to Friends of the Earth 
(FoE).

FoE GM campaigner Emily Diamand said: “Today’s vote to allow EU 
countries to maintain their bans on GM food and crops is a vote for 
commonsense, and a victory for European consumers, who are 
overwhelmingly opposed to GM food.”

She added: “But the actions of the UK today have been appalling. It 
is bad enough that Elliot Morley should ignore public opinion on this 
important issue, but it is outrageous that he should try and prevent 
other countries saying no to GM. His actions will do nothing to 
improve the UK’s battered reputation on this issue, or help its poor 
image in Europe.”