Greece and Latvia are reportedly the first EU countries to have had their geographical opt-out clauses approved by the EU from growing genetically modified (GM) crops by US corporation Monsanto.

Germany and France, are expected to follow, requesting geographical opt-outs from growing Monsanto’s MON810 GM Maize in September. German Agriculture Minister Christian Schmidt informed German states last week of his intention to use the new EU law, passed in March, to ban the use of GM crops. Britain is in favor, however, the Scottish government is against it as research has shown GM cultivation threatens biodiversity.

The law signed in March allows individual EU countries to exclude themselves from GM cultivation.

In a statement the EU’s Commission said its zero-tolerance policy against non-authorized GM products remains in place and that it was simply be seeking advice on a “scientific question” unrelated to trade negotiations with the United States.

The EFSA said it would issue a scientific opinion on the question by the end of 2017.

Meantime, Monsanto agreed to abide by Greece’s and Latvia’s decision to refuse genetically modified (GM) crop across their lands, but accused them of ignoring science.

GM crops are widely-grown in the US and Asia, but Monsanto’s pest-resistant MON810 is the only variety grown in Europe.

Monsanto issued a formal statement regarding Latvia’s request saying it “contradicts and undermines the scientific consensus on the safety of MON810”.

“Nevertheless, we regret that some countries are deviating from a science-based approach to innovation in agriculture and have elected to prohibit the cultivation of a successful GM product on arbitrary political grounds.”

“We have no immediate plans to request approvals for any new GM seeds in Europe,” Monsanto said.

Environmental campaigners urged other nations to follow the example of Greece and Latvia.

Friends of the Earth Europe also circulated letters showing the European Commission is examining rules for imports of products with trace levels of GM and had requested the expert opinion of the European Food Safety Authority.

Source: Reuters, Sustainable Pulse