Eighty percent of Europeans are against GMO foods according to a survey, but they could still find their way on to our supermarket shelves. The Commission gave the go green light to the farming of transgenic potatoes, but can it ensure that GMOs will not

GMO debate re-ignites

https://api.multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/documents/20125/14889328/N001-100406-002-EN.srt

This comes after   the Commission's decision

to allow Amflora GM super potatoes   to be farmed in the EU,

have re-opened the discussion in   the Parliament.

They’re denouncing the contamination of   their fields by neighbouring GM crops.

The GMO situation in Spain   is completely untenable.

This case shows that   co-existence is impossible.

This is done without   standards on contamination

Spain with its 80 thousand hectares   of GM corn crops,

which accounts for 20%   of corn produced,

is currently the main EU producer   of genetically modified organisms,

a rapid development with   constantly evolving standards.

We might have a problem, but both sides   are blowing things out of proportion.

We need a legal norm that has until   now been the EU’s responsibility.

It wants to give powers to states.   This needs supervision.

We need transparency and supervision,   but we mustn't overdo it.

The Commission has announced a GMO   proposal to enter into force by summer.

The idea is to leave   each country free to decide.

If they want to farm GM they can   and those against can refuse.

Products go from   one country to another.

Trucks can carry pollution with them...   so it’s not a good solution.

Equally you can have corn fields that   are on the borders between countries

and one country will contaminate another.   We need a European law.

80% of Europeans don’t want GM on   supermarket shelves.

Debate has begun and it looks set to be a   heated one for this politically hot potato.