EU Lets Poland Ban GMO Maize Seeds Across Country
Date: 09-May-06
Country: BELGIUM
Poland was also allowed to ban the use of some 700 non-GMO maize varieties throughout the entire country, it said.
"In the case of both the GM and non-GM maize varieties in question, the varieties are known to have too high a maturity class to enable them to be cultivated in Poland," the Commission said in a statement.
"This means that these maize varieties are characterised by a long growing cycle and, under Polish climatic conditions, will not reach the necessary ripeness required at the harvesting stage," it said.
The Commission usually takes the view that if a region wants to ban GMO crops, such restrictions have to be scientifically justified and crop-specific -- not overtly political motivated or blanket bans on all biotech seeds or crops.
No biotech seeds have been planted in Poland and the ruling conservatives, who have long backed a GMO-free Poland, have said they could even seek changes to the bloc's biotech policy.
