European Commission officials are considering giving member states a free hand to decide whether GM crops can grow on their territory.
Under the current system, a comprehensive EU safety review is undertaken – and farmers can then sow approved crops in all member states, although some, such as Austria, have imposed unilateral and possible illegal bans.
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In a discussion paper, the Commission revealed that it is considering political guidelines to govern GMOs in the EU, with “member states to decide whether or not they wish to cultivate GM crops on their territory”.
Carel du Marchie Sarvaas, director for green biotechnology, the European Association for Bioindustries, welcomed the paper’s acceptance that the authorisation process reflected “difficulties in processing cultivation files.”
He also argued more national rights over GM cultivation could be accommodated within existing EU legislation: “We have laws that need to be implemented,” he told just-food.
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