EU ministers approve of law for banning genetically modified crops

Limiting the chance of the use of genetically modified (GM) crops in European Union countries, EU politicians have supported a plan to allow nations to ban GM crops on their soils even if they are given permission to be grown there.

While GM crops are widely grown in the Americas and Asia, Europe is divided on its opinion regarding these crops. France and Germany have opposed GM crops but Britain favours them.

According to a previous endorsement by EU ministers this year, if a nation wanted to ban a GM crop that had been approved for use within EU, it would require negotiation with relevant companies.

However, with this plan, member states are allowed to ban the crops on environmental grounds.

Reuters quoted Greenpeace EU agriculture policy director Marco Contiero as saying: "Today’s vote would give European countries a legally solid right to ban GM cultivation in their territory, making it difficult for the biotech industry to challenge such bans in court."

The plan was also welcomed by left-leaning politicians as it kicks off formal negotiations on a legal text. However, Conservatives opposed the move.

Environment spokeswoman for the Conservatives in the European Parliament Julie Girling told Reuters: "The parliament’s position on GM cultivation risks inflicting untold damage to robust, science-based policymaking in Europe. We strongly oppose these proposals and voted against them today. We will continue to oppose them."

The European Commission is hoping to put the law in place by 2015 after receiving a final endorsement from the European Parliament and member states.

EU has opposed GM crops for years. The only GM crop to be cultivated in Europe is Monsanto’s GM maize MON810 found in Spain and Portugal.