One million people vs. GM crops

One million Europeans have asked the European Commission to ban genetically modified (GM) crops. This is the first time that citizens of the 27 member states that signed the Lisbon Treaty in 2009 take advantage of a tool called the “Citizens’ Initiative” which allows one million citizens from any number of member countries present a proposal to European institutions.

The petition, which was delivered by Greenpeace and the global web movement Avaaz on December 9, is asking the EC to set up a new independent, ethical, scientific body to assess the impact of GM crops. This echoes a unanimous demand by the 27 member states’ environment ministers in 2008 and is aimed at replacing the widely-criticised European Food Safety Authority.

“This is a massive step for European democracy,” said Avaaz Executive Director Ricken Patel. “European citizens have given the Commission more than a million reasons to listen to the public and act with precaution rather than cave to the private interests of a handful of GM companies who are influencing Europe’s agricultural future.”

The petition was launched in March following the Commission’s approval of an antibiotic-resistant GM potato, despite significant scientific concerns and disregarding dominant public opposition to GM crops. Several countries are now taking the Commission to the European Court of Justice over its decision to authorise the GM potato.

“The question is whether the EU will address real concerns on GM crops or whether it will take the side of the chemical industry lobbyists. Europeans expect safe food and sustainable farming. The EU is still unable to guarantee this. Until safety issues of GMOs are examined by independent experts, all GMO authorisations should stop,” said Greenpeace European Unit director Jorgo Riss. 

European Parliament lead rapporteur, MEP Gerald Haefner, said he was glad to see that citizens were already making use of the Citizens’ Initiative and that: “The ball is now in the court of the European Commission, which should give this GMO petition the political attention it deserves as the first European Citizens’ Initiative since the treaty came into force.”

To mark the handover, Avaaz and Greenpeace are meeting with Commissioner Dalli to inspect a giant 3D farm field created by the world-famous pavement artist Kurt Wenner in front of the European Commission’s Berlaymont building headquarters.