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European Parliament votes for GM-free zones
July 2, 2003 12:00 AM
In voting new EU laws on the use of GM products, MEPs in Strasbourg have backed Liberal Democrat amendments giving EU governments the right to severely restrict the growing of genetically modified crops in order to protect conventional or organic farmers from cross-contamination. The planting of GM crops could be severely restricted if extensive buffer zones are established.
Several EU countries are currently drafting such legislation; French scientists have reported that genes from commercial sugar beet had been found in wild plants more than 1.5 kilometres away.
The wording was the strongest possible in the circumstances, reflecting a compromise already agreed with the Council of Ministers and therefore certain to become law. But London's Liberal Democrat MEP Baroness Sarah Ludford voted for even stronger amendments which would make buffer zones obligatory.
She said: "I personally believe we should keep Europe totally free of GM crops. It is too soon to know whether there will turn out to be health or environmental risks - such as passing on antibiotic resistance or gross mutations - and I believe the potentially catastrophic damage justifies severe caution."
"We have though voted for strict rules on labelling and we must press the British government to use the new law to protect growers of conventional and organic crops from the risk of cross-contamination and any consequent loss of income."
The agreement on EU rules is intended to lift the de facto moratorium in Europe on the growing of GM crops and head off a trade dispute with the USA. The Americans may still try and get the World Trade Organisation to rule against the EU since Euro-MPs backed ministers in calling for any foods containing more than 0.9% GM products to be clearly labelled. The Americans argue there is no proven risk to human health from GM products and that such labelling is a disguised form of trade protection.
Sarah Ludford added:
"The USA is pursuing narrow commercial interests. They should respect the real fears of unforeseen consequences for our health or environment. Shoppers must have the information so that they can decide for themselves what products to buy. If this slows the development of GM products while more research is carried out that is no bad thing."
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