European Parliament Rejects National GMO Bans Proposal

A draft bill that would allow any EU member state to prohibit the use or sale of EU-approved GMO food or feeds within its territory was rejected by the European Parliament by a vote of 577 to 75, with 38 abstentions on October 28.

The Parliament has called upon the Commission to put forth a new proposal after the rejection that was based on concerns that such a law would prove unmanageable, would lead to border check points between pro and non-GMO countries, and that it could reverse advances made with the single market and the customs union.

“I believe that this proposal could have negative consequences for agriculture in the EU, which is heavily dependent on protein supplies from GMO sources, said rapporteur Giovanni La Via (EPP. IT) who recommended the rejection of the proposal. “It could also have indirect negative effects on imports. Finally, there are concerns over whether this proposal could even be implemented, because there are no border controls in the EU”, he concluded.