EU Environment Committee rejects bill allowing opt-out from GM crop imports

According to Reuters, the European Parliament rejected a proposal that would have allowed countries…

According to Reuters, the European Parliament rejected a proposal that would have allowed countries to restrict or ban the use of imported genetically-modified (GM) crops that have secured European Union (EU) approval. The Environment Committee rejected the draft law by 47 votes to three, many arguing that the proposal was unworkable and would lead to the reintroduction of border controls.

The bill was designed to mirror legislation that allows member countries to opt out of using GM crops that have been approved for cultivation in the EU. More than 60 GM crops are approved for import into the bloc, but only one—a Monsanto GM maize—has been approved for cultivation in the EU. And a majority of member states this month requested opt-outs for it.

The whole parliament is set to vote on the draft law on October 28.