In a surprise move, Germany seems to be coming out strongly for the introduction of genetically modified crops and products in European Union markets. In recent years that has certainly not been the prevailing view in most German government circles.

Much to most peoples’ surprise, the Agriculture Minister Horst Seehofer has called for a new mechanism for approving GM crops and products in the EU accompanied by a temporary (how temporary?) halt on fresh authorisations until a new mechanism is developed.

Herr Seehofer said GM approvals should no longer be based on political voting among representatives of the EU member states or by the European Commissioners. Instead, the authorisation procedure should be dealt with in the same way as for pharmaceutical products for which a competent scientific authority takes decisions without any political involvement. That would indeed be a refreshing improvement on present practice.

However, EU Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas has openly denied granting authorisation to this effect, saying there are environmental concerns involved.

It will be interesting to see both how the European Commission responds to this suggestion (and whether or not they can get their act together) as well as the attitudes of countries such as Austria, Greece and Hungary which maintain intransigent anti-GM policies and positions.

Source:

Germany backs GM crops in EU. Commodity Online (15.12.07) (http://www.commodityonline.com/news/topstory/newsdetails.php?id=4251)

<<<back