EU’s Plan To Hand Over Oversight Of GM Crops To Member States Draws Criticism

European governments have expressed their disapproval of a proposal by the European Commission to relinquish authority to outlaw or approve genetically modified (GM) crops to individual member states. The proposal is part of a projected overhaul of EU policy on GM crops that would give member states more leeway in regulating cultivation within their borders. Critics of the proposed overhaul, however, say that such a system would generate legal confusion for farmers and agri-businesses. Member states, meanwhile, are afraid the plan would end up fragmenting the internal market for agriculture goods. Currently, member states can only curb GM crop farming under strict conditions. Authorization licenses are legally binding in all 27 countries in accordance with the principles of the EU's single market.