Greece to lift its ban on GMO

11 Jan '06

3 min read

The European Commission has ordered Greece to lift its ban on planting genetically modified (GMO) maize seeds made by US biotech giant Monsanto.

The Greek government banned the seeds in April 2005, saying it believed the products presented a health danger, but Greece did not supply the necessary information to support this move, the commission stated in its decision, according to news wires.

The decision has not yet been publicly announced.

Greece has consistently voted against proposals for new GMO authorisations in the EU, along with a majority of EU member states.

But there was no qualified majority in the council, the member states' decision-making body, necessary to block new GMO authorizations.

As there was no majority in the council to give a green light either, the matter was transferred back to the commission for a decision.

The commission subsequently decided to provide authorisation for GMOs.

"By overruling the Greek government's attempt to protect its fields from contamination by this GM maize, the commission is showing its contempt for the majority of EU citizens and 165 regions that say they do not want GMOs," Greenpeace said in a comment.

Possible court case
The Greek farmers' union (GESASE) said it would send a letter to Greek agriculture minister Evangelos Basiakos, urging him to file an appeal at the European Court of Justice (ECJ).

"This will be a first-class opportunity for the government which says it opposes genetically modified products to prove it," GESASE financial advisor Nikos Lapas told Reuters.

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