Genetically engineered crop cultivation has been restricted in 19 European Union countries.
On March 11, European Union member states were told in E.U. Directive 2015/412 they could request to opt out of the
genetically engineered
crops cultivation authorization for non-scientific reasons by Oct. 3. The 19 countries that decided to opt out for all or part of their territories do not currently grow
genetically engineered
corn crops, so it will not make a change in farming in those countries.
Before
Directive
2015/412, member states
had to present a reason on the basis of the safeguard clause or of the emergency measures, only if there was new scientific evidence suggesting that such a cultivation would be harmful to the environment, humans or animals.
The
member states
who want to restrict or prohibit
genetically engineered
crops cultivation have two options: a
member state may ask for the geographical scope of the application to exclude all or part of its territory, allowing the manufacturer 30 days to adjust or option two -- a
member state may adopt national opt-out measures by invoking grounds such as environmental or agricultural policy objectives, town- and country-planning, land use, coexistence, socio-economic impacts, or public policy.
The only
genetically engineered
plant approved for cultivation under the first option is MON810 Bt corn, an insect-resistant corn grown in five E.U. countries with seven other varieties.
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