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European Union Backs Away from EU-Wide Biotech Rules

The European Commissions knows how to "fail to agree" better than anyone else when it comes to biotechnology. This week it was no different.

European Union ministers Thursday failed to agree on how to ensure the safety and authorization of new genetically modified seeds. And an EC report expected out today (Friday) backs away from away from trying to establish E.U.-wide laws on segregating genetically modified crops, even though it fears some member countries are imposing unfairly difficult rules. The Commission says the situation for each crop in each country is too complex for now to make one standard rule, though it could revisit the issue later.

A major issue of contention is cross contamination between non-GMO and GMO crops. The Wall Street Journal says the report states some countries are proposing separations between GM and non-GM crops that "appear to entail greater efforts for GM crop growers than necessary."

The discussions come a month after the WTO ruled the Europe had violated trade agreements for years by making it too difficult for new biotech approvals.