Q&A: GMO cultivation in the EU – EU changes rules on GM crop cultivation

On 13 January 2015, a plenary vote at the European Parliament approved the cultivation of genetically modified crops, following the agreement of the Council of the European Union to the proposal, which was set to give member states more flexibility to deal with GMOs on their own territory.

MEPs agreed to give Member States the legal right to ban the growing of GM crops that have been approved as scientifically safe.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Deal reached on new rules allowing flexibility for EU countries to ban GMO crops http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-deal-reached-on-new-rules-allowing-flexibility-for-eu-countries-to-ban-gmo-crops/

The Guardian, 13.01.15: GM crops to be fast-tracked in UK following EU vote http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jan/13/gm-crops-to-be-fast-tracked-in-uk-following-eu-vote

European Commission: Statement/15/3203, 13.01.15: Commissioner Andriukaitis welcomes second reading agreement vote by the European Parliament on GMO cultivation http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_STATEMENT-15-3203_en.htm

EurActiv, 14.01.15: German Environment Ministry seeks unconditional GMO ban http://www.euractiv.com/sections/agriculture-food/german-environment-ministry-seeks-unconditional-gmo-ban-311238

BBC News, 13.01.15: EU changes rules on GM crop cultivation http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-30794256

EurActiv, 13.01.15: MEPs approve national ban on GM crops cultivation http://www.euractiv.com/sections/agriculture-food/meps-approve-national-ban-gm-crops-cultivation-311221

Deutsche Welle, 13.11.15: EU passes controversial GMO food law http://www.dw.de/eu-passes-controversial-gmo-food-law/a-18188282

Blog: Open Europe, 13.01.15: New rules on GMOs: a step towards a more flexible EU? http://openeurope.org.uk/blog/new-rules-gmos-step-towards-flexible-eu/

NFU: Sectors - Crops - Results of European Parliament vote on GM crops http://www.nfuonline.com/sectors/crops/results-of-european-parliament-vote-on-gm-crops/

EFSA: Topic: Genetically Modified Organisms http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/topics/topic/gmo.htm

European Parliament: Press Release, 13.01.15: Frédérique Ries: It should not be up to courts to decide on GMO bans http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/news-room/content/20150112STO07403/

EurActiv, 16.01.15: Agriculture Commissioner promises GMO labelling, despite TTIP http://www.euractiv.com/sections/agriculture-food/agriculture-commissioner-promises-gmo-labelling-despite-ttip-311324

Blog: EP: EPRS, 12.02.15: New GMO legislation http://epthinktank.eu/2015/02/12/new-gmo-legislation/

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