Campaign success as EU ministers vote to keep GM bans1 June 2005
Environment ministers from across Europe voted on 24th June 2005 to allow five countries to keep their bans on certain GM crops.
They rejected proposals by the unelected European Commission to lift the bans. The USA claims that such bans are a barrier to trade and has made a complaint to the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
The countries which imposed the bans on safety grounds were:
- Austria
- Luxembourg
- Germany
- France
- Greece
Member states first voted on this issue in November 2004, but there was an insufficient majority to carry the vote.
This latest result is a significant shift in position across the EU against GM crops and foods. This is thanks in part to nearly 5,000 people across Europe emailing their governments before the vote as part of a Friends of the Earth Europe campaign.
But UK Environment Minister Elliot Morley sided with the GM industry, voting to overturn the bans.
Friends of the Earth GM Campaigner Emily Diamond said:
The actions of the UK today have been appalling. It is bad enough that Elliot Morley should ignore public opinion on this important issue. But it is outrageous that he should try and stop other countries saying no to GM.
A decision on the GM trade dispute is expected later this year. If the WTO upholds the US complaint then this latest EU ruling to keep GM bans could be at risk from being declared illegal.
The EU would then be forced to change its policy on GM or face US/WTO punishment.
