15 member states opt out of GMO culture

A spokesperson from the European Commission told media sources on 1 October 2015 that 15 member states sought to keep genetically-modified organisms out of all or part of their territory, as the deadline for opting out of new European legislation on GMO crops came two days later.

The opt-out list includes Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, France, Germany Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands and Poland. The United Kingdom sought to have a ban for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Rules adopted by the European Union earlier in the year allowed member states to opt out of GMO cultivation.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: New GMO rules get final Council approval http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-new-gmo-rules-get-final-council-approval/

EurActiv, 01.10.15: Germany opts out of growing GMO crops http://www.euractiv.com/sections/agriculture-food/germany-opts-out-growing-gmo-crops-318136

EUObserver, 02.10.15: More than half of EU countries ask for GMO opt-out https://euobserver.com/environment/130522

Deutsche Welle, 02.10.15: Europe's GMO compromise: bound to unravel? http://dw.com/p/1FWwa

Radio Poland, 30.09.15: Poland opts out of GMOs http://www.thenews.pl/1/9/Artykul/223049,Poland-opts-out-of-GMOs

Swissinfo.ch, 01.10.15: Italy tells EU it will opt out of growing GMO crops - statement http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/reuters/italy-tells-eu-it-will-opt-out-of-growing-gmo-crops---statement/41693618

Deutsche Welle, 04.10.15: Nineteen EU countries seek GMO opt-out http://dw.com/p/1GiWE

The Conversation, 09.10.15: GM crops: an uneasy truce hangs over Europe https://theconversation.com/gm-crops-an-uneasy-truce-hangs-over-europe-48835

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