Europe’s stringent regulation of genetically modified (GM) crops has no rational basis and should be revamped to allow countries who want to opt out and grow GM foods to do so, British scientific advisers say.
In an advisory report requested by the government, the scientists said legislation on use within the European Union of genetically modified organisms (GMO) in crops should be decided on a national level, as it is with pharmaceuticals. The scientists also said in a letter to Prime Minister David Cameron that while the EU “is currently hostile to growing GM crops,” Britain “can still benefit significantly in developing innovations that the rest of the world will still use” if it is able to argue for national control over GM decisions.
Many countries in the EU have populations that are hostile to growing GM crops. In Britain, too, there is likely to be public opposition to the idea, with campaigners arguing the long-term consequences of having widespread GM agriculture are unknown.
Read the full, original article: Scientists urge change to Europe’s GMO regulation
