Germany, Italy and Bulgaria are among the latest EU member states to announce they plan to opt out of new bloc-wide rules allowing GMO cultivation.

In March, the EU announced it would allow the approval of new GMO crops but gave member states the room to ban their cultivation even if they had been given the green light by Brussels. EU member states must tell the European Commission by Saturday (3 October) if they wish to opt out of the rules.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Data Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Discover B2B Marketing That Performs

Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.

Find out more

Countries including Austria have already announced they will ban GMOs. The devolved UK governments of Scotland and Northern Ireland have made similar announcements.

Reuters yesterday reported Germany's Agriculture Minister, Christian Schmidt, had told the European Commission Berlin would not allow the cultivation of GMO crops on its land.

Italy's Agriculture Ministry announced today that it and the country's Environment and Health Ministries have written to Brussels to outline Rome's stance. 

GlobalData Strategic Intelligence

US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?

Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.

By GlobalData

Just Food Excellence Awards - The Benefits of Entering

Gain the recognition you deserve! The Just Food Excellence Awards celebrate innovation, leadership, and impact. By entering, you showcase your achievements, elevate your industry profile, and position yourself among top leaders driving food industry advancements. Don’t miss your chance to stand out—submit your entry today!

Nominate Now