Plans announced by the European Commission will give individual member states the immediate power to set coexistence rules - on a regional or national level and without any scientific basis - in order to restrict or ban GM crop cultivation.
This sets a dangerous precedent for the European regulatory system and threatens both the internal market and farmer choice, the NFU has said today.
Under the proposals, legislation will also be revised so that member states will be able to decide on whether to ban the growing of GM crops in their region for socio-economic or cultural reasons, with no regard to health or environmental safety.
While the NFU believes a way must be found to unblock the stalemate on GM authorisations in Europe, there must be a sound basis of scientific evidence in making decisions. And with this package, the Commission has essentially absolved itself of any responsibility on a highly sensitive issue.
The NFU is very concerned that the proposals agreed set a precedent for how other politically sensitive issues could be dealt with in Europe.
We want to see an inclusive and transparent proposal for the future authorisation of GM crops that enables farmers and growers to have the choice of accessing the very best technologies available to their competitors across the world. And we also believe that the UK government must not rush ahead to set coexistence rules when we do not have any crops close to commercial cultivation in this country.
The plans were outlined yesterday by the European Commission. For more information click here.
NFU comment
NFU chief science and regulatory affairs adviser, Dr Helen Ferrier, said: “Instead of giving reassurances to support an effective and rigorous authorisation process for GM across the EU, this proposal is all about enabling countries to ban the growing of GM crops.
“The NFU represents all methods of farming and growing and has always believed that any GM legislation should be based around sound science, rather than politics or emotional rhetoric. Ultimately the market will decide if British growers use the technology.
“Effective coexistence is essential for farmers to make the choice between organic, conventional and GM. But the approach announced will cause serious problems with the internal market.
“We are very concerned that instead of making decisions based on science, member states can now legitimately use coexistence measures to restrict GM plantings and to lower labelling thresholds at either national or regional levels. This has the potential to severely disrupt internal markets and cause uncertainty throughout the agriculture and food supply chains, as well as add further confusion for consumers. And it may also lead to severe political and legal pressure on national governments and compromise their ability to make science-based policy decisions about GM crops.
“We are against an approach that could put our farmers and growers at a disadvantage with our competitors, both across the EU and abroad. I believe this decision sends a clear signal to the rest of world that the EU lacks interest in innovation and new technologies for a competitive agriculture industry and that it does not use evidence and science in its decision-making. The very real danger is that it risks discouraging technology companies investing in Europe.
- Edward Green - 17/08/2010
This may conflict with the basic EU Law principle of proportionality.