EU Scientists Reject Gm-free Zone

Plans to ban GM crops in parts of Europe were set back yesterday after EU scientists seemed to rebuff an attempt by a region in Austria to declare itself a GM-free zone.

Upper Austria had wanted to opt out of EU-wide rules and introduce a total ban on the cultivation of GM crops but needed the European commission's approval.

Although there has been a moratorium on GM crop approvals since 1998 it is expected to be lifted later this year once rules on the labelling and safety of GM products come into force. Upper Austria is desperate to be excluded and it is not alone.

The Welsh assembly has passed a resolution declaring Wales a GM-free zone and many local authorities in the west of England have done or are about to do the same.

In Upper Austria's case the commission is due to decide whether it can opt out in mid-September but its scientific advisers appeared to prejudge the issue yesterday by issuing a statement that its application to become a GM-free zone should be rejected.

A report by the new European food safety agency said there was "no new public health or environment-related evidence which would justify a different approach being taken in Upper Austria than for the EU in general".

EU sources said the non-binding ruling set a precedent and sent a signal that GM-free zones would not be approved.

The biotechnology industry was pleased with the opinion. "If someone suddenly says that they want to ban GM crops or turn themselves into a GM-free zone then they are denying people a choice," said Simon Barber of EuropaBio, a lobby group representing some of the world's biggest biotech firms.

Opponents of GM crops were disappointed. Caroline Lucas, a British Green MEP, said the agency's "pronouncement" did not "bode well".