Scotland to ban GM crops

Growing genetically modified crops will not be permitted in Scotland, a minister in Edinburgh has announced.

Rural Affairs, Food and Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead said the Scottish Government intends to take advantage of new EU rules allowing countries to opt out of growing EU-authorised GM crops. He added that the move would also help protect Scotland’s clean, green status.

The Cabinet Secretary said: “Scotland is known around the world for our beautiful natural environment – and banning growing genetically modified crops will protect and further enhance our clean, green status.

“There is no evidence of significant demand for GM products by Scottish consumers and I am concerned that allowing GM crops to be grown in Scotland would damage our clean and green brand, thereby gambling with the future of our £14bn (~€19.8bn) food and drink sector.”

Lochhead added that he “strongly supports the continued application of the precautionary principle in relation to GM crops” and that he “intends to take full advantage of the flexibility allowed under these new EU rules to ban GM crops from being grown in Scotland.”

The Edinburgh Government will shortly submit a request that Scotland is excluded from any European consents for the cultivation of GM crops, including the variety of genetically modified maize already approved and six other GM crops that are awaiting authorisation.

“The Scottish Government has longstanding concerns about GM crops – concerns that are shared by other European countries and consumers, and which should not be dismissed lightly,” the minister also commented.

Under EU rules, GM crops must be formally authorised before they can be cultivated in the EU geographical area. The amendment to Directive 2001/18/EC entered into force earlier this year and allows EU member states and devolved administrations to restrict or ban the cultivation of GMOs within their territory.