The member states seeking the exemption are: France, Hungary, Poland, Lithuania, Austria, Greece, Croatia, Latvia, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and Belgium. According to Brivio, in the two latter named countries, the veto applies only in certain regions (Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland in the UK, and Wallonia in Belgium).

He added that both Latvia and Greece have informed GMO producers that the cultivation of such crops is not allowed, and that involved companies will be informed.

The new legislation on the cultivation of GMOs, which entered last spring, allows countries to ban GMOs on the basis of their own environmental policy. It contains a procedure for companies that produce GMOs to accept restrictions on their marketing license before the member states shall take such measures. They can unilaterally impose a ban even if the company does not agree with the decision.

EU states that accept these crops must ensure that other products are not contaminated and prevent cross-border pollution.

The reform of legislation on the cultivation of GMOs was approved early 2015.

Source: Efeagro via FloralDaily