GMOs

Jumping spider

EU law ‘woefully inadequate’ for GM insects, Lords say

Est. 3min

Britain should challenge "woefully inadequate" European regulations and launch field trials of genetically modified insects designed to wipe out disease-carrying bugs that harm crops and people, lawmakers said on Thursday (16 December).

Expo Milan
Agrifood 12-11-2015

EU says cancer risk from popular weedkiller ‘unlikely’

Est. 2min

The EU's food safety agency on Thursday (12 November) said that one of the world's most popular weedkillers was "unlikely" to cause cancer, putting it at odds with findings by the UN.

Agrifood 04-11-2015

Agri-giants pull GM maize out of Germany

Est. 3min

Four large seed companies will no longer grow genetically modified maize in Germany. "We have achieved our goal," said Agriculture Minister Christian Schmidt on Tuesday (3 November). EURACTIV Germany reports.

EU lawmakers reject national bans on GM food, feed imports

Est. 4min

Legislators on Wednesday (28 October) rejected by a huge majority a hard-won compromise that would have allowed member states to decide for themselves whether or not to import Genetically Modified Organisms for use in food and animal feed.

New plant breeding techniques: Innovation breakthrough or GMOs in disguise?

Est. 8min

SPECIAL REPORT / 'New plant breeding techniques' focus on developing new seed traits within a given species through genetic engineering. A troubling question for policymakers is whether these techniques should fall under GMO legislation.

Commission: Organic farming ‘not enough’ to address food security

Est. 8min

SPECIAL REPORT / Organic farming has a role to play in the new Common Agricultural Policy, but it cannot address the perplexing issue of food security, an EU spokesperson said.

MEPs reject GM crop compromise ‘on technical grounds’

Est. 3min

EU lawmakers rejected yesterday (13 October) a hard-won compromise which allows member states to decide for themselves whether or not to import Genetically Modified Organisms for use in food and animal feed.

15 member states opt out of GMO culture

Est. 3min

Fifteen of the 28 EU member states are seeking to keep genetically-modified organisms out of all or part of their territory, as the deadline for opting out of new European legislation on GMO crops nears, the bloc's executive arm said yesterday (1 October).

Germany opts out of growing GMO crops

Est. 2min

Germany has told the European Union it will ban cultivation of crops with genetically modified organisms (GMOs), under new European Union rules allowing member states to opt out of GMO cultivation, a document seen by Reuters showed yesterday (30 September).

Agrifood 18-09-2015

GMOs take root as a controversial answer to hunger in Africa

Est. 4min

SPECIAL REPORT / For some experts, genetically modified organisms are the answer to Africa's harsh climate and low agricultural productivity. But for critics, dependence on powerful seed companies outweighs the benefits. EURACTIV France reports

Agrifood 04-09-2015

Agriculture MEPs vote to safeguard GM food and feed imports

Est. 3min

The European Parliament's Agriculture Committee has added to the confusion surrounding GM crops in Europe by recommending rejection of a proposal that would allow member states to limit or ban imports of genetically modified food and feed. EURACTIV Italy reports.

Latvia, Greece win opt-out from Monsanto GM crop

Est. 3min

Monsanto said it would abide by Latvia's and Greece's requests under a new EU opt-out law to be excluded from its application to grow a genetically modified (GM) crop across the European Union, but accused them of ignoring science.

Germany initiates move to ban GMO crops

Est. 2min

Germany has instigated a move to stop the growing of genetically modified crops under new European Union rules, according to official documents.

Agrifood 10-08-2015

Scotland to issue formal ban on genetically modified crops

Est. 5min

Scottish ministers are planning to formally ban genetically modified crops from being grown in Scotland, widening a policy divide with the Conservative government in London.

No need for new rules to protect butterflies from GM pollen, EU report says

Est. 3min

European food safety officials found there was no need to widen buffer zones around genetically modified (GM) crops, even though research shows that pollen from GM maize can travel kilometres further than previously thought.

Agrifood 02-07-2015

German states draft bill for nationwide GMO ban

Est. 5min

Five state governments in Germany are putting pressure on Agriculture Minister Christian Schmidt, introducing a bill for a nationwide ban on GMOs instead of his “patchwork” proposal. EURACTIV Germany reports.

Biopharmaceuticals booming in Germany despite GMO controversy

Est. 4min

Modern pharmaceuticals are no longer exclusively produced in a chemicals laboratory, but are often developed using live cells. In Germany, such biopharmaceuticals are being sold and prescribed at an ever increasing rate – despite widespread scepticism over GMOs in Germany. EURACTIV Germany reports.

EU Priorities 2020 30-04-2015

Worries mount as European Parliament sits idle

Est. 6min

EXCLUSIVE / The European Parliament's legislative vacuum is frustrating both national and European politicians. While MEPs are forced to vote on hollow resolutions, France has lodged a complaint with the President Martin Schulz. EURACTIV France reports

Agrifood 24-04-2015

Germany sceptical of national import ban on GM foods

Est. 3min

Despite overwhelming public disapproval of genetically modified crops, the Merkel government is reluctant to prohibit imports of GM soy and corn. EURACTIV Germany reports.

Agrifood 23-04-2015

US trade negotiator ‘very disappointed’ at European GM food ban

Est. 2min

US Trade Representative Michael Froman expressed disappointment on Wednesday (22 April) that the European Commission has decided to let member states have 'opt-outs' on imports of genetically-modified food and feed.

GMO
Agrifood 22-04-2015

EU proposal on GMO food criticised by Greenpeace, industry

Est. 4min

The European Commission's proposed new rules on the approval of food derived from genetically-modified organisms (GMOs), published on Wednesday (22 April), have immediately attracted criticism from both environment NGOs and the agribusiness sector.

European Commission clarifies new GMO import rules

Est. 2min

EXCLUSIVE / An internal document seen by EURACTIV discloses Commission plans to give member states the final say on whether or not to accept GMO imports. EURACTIV France reports

Agrifood 09-04-2015

Commission prepares minimal reform of GMO imports

Est. 3min

EXCLUSIVE / The European executive plans to present a new legal framework for GMO imports by the end of the month. Member states could be given the final say over imports, a possibility that disappoints environmentalists. EURACTIV France reports

Agrifood 19-03-2015

German government quarrels over GMO cultivation ban

Est. 5min

Agriculture Minister Christian Schmidt hopes to create a legislative framework that would cover cultivation bans on genetically modified plants, but leave them up to the regions. Environment Minister Barbara Hendricks, meanwhile, is insisting on a national GMO ban. EURACTIV Germany reports.