EU countries should have freedom to ban GM crops

"Experience with GMOs so far shows that member states need more flexibility to organize the coexistence of genetically modified and other types of crops," said Health and Consumer Policy Commissioner John Dalli in a statement.

The proposal from the commission, the EU’s executive arm, would give EU member states the power to restrict or ban genetically modified crops, even after an EU approval procedure based on health and environment risk assessment has given a green light, the commission said.

Currently, the EU authorizes GMOs on a case-by-case basis. But a decade-long opposition by some member countries—who have to back the authorization by a super majority—has been slowing approvals, with decisions ultimately falling on the commission because of continued disagreements in national governments.

[Source: Dow Jones]