European Commission announces policy to force through GM foods

25/03/05 Friends of the Earth have attacked the European Commission over its newly announced policy to force through genetically modified (GM) foods despite overwhelming public opposition. The environmental campaigners accused the EC of putting business interests ahead of the safety of the public and environment, describing the announcement as "a bad day for consumers, democracy and the environment."

The new European Commission agreed to:

- Push through new approvals of GM foods regardless of the lack of consensus over their safety by EU member states

- Submit to the Environment Council proposals to get countries to lift their bans on GM products

- Approve GM crops for cultivation without proper legislation to avoid the contamination of the countryside by GMOs (so called "coexistence").