Europe Approves Bid For National Ban Of GMO Crops

The European Parliament has just made it a lot easier for member countries to opt out of growing genetically modified crops, even if they had previously been given approval to be cultivated by the European Union. The previous law allowed GMOs to be grown anywhere in the EU, pending approval by Parliament, but this new law, which could go into effect by 2015, will allow individual nations to block the cultivation of crops that they believe to be harmful.

"Today's vote would give European countries a legally solid right to ban GM cultivation in their territory, making it difficult for the biotech industry to challenge such bans in court," said Marco Contiero, Greenpeace EU agriculture policy director,  according to EurActive.

The law will give individual nations the flexibility to decide whether GMO cultivation is right for their people, without fear of interference from biotech companies. Bans can be implemented for numerous reasons, including environmental policy, town and city planning, and pesticide or health concerns. 

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Joanna Fantozzi is an Associate Editor with The Daily Meal. Follow her on Twitter @JoannaFantozzi