Long divided over GMOs - are they a threat or an opportunity? - the EU has now found a way forward.

Europe's new approach to GMOs

https://api.multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/documents/20125/12119614/v003-0092-en.srt

Feeding the world, 7 billion people,  is no easy task.

Some people are advocating for  genetically modified organisms or GMOs

as one of the solutions  for the demand for food.

There aren't just different rules  for different types of GMOs,

different rules are also in place for the food  that humans eat and for animal feed.

A GMO is an organism which scientists  have altered by introducing alien genes

or by modifying a plant’s genetic structure.

The process generates proteins that  give the modified organism new properties.

Proponents of GMOs argue  the main benefit is higher productivity.

Then, resistance to pests,  rodents and disease,

which they say in turn  reduces the need for pesticides.

GMOs, they say, could also increase the  plants' capacity to deal with harsh weather.

Opponents argue GMOs present unknown  perils to humans, animals and biodiversity.

They say vital agricultural pollinators  such as bees or butterflies are threatened.

Genetically modified crops  become resistant to weed killer,

which in turn kills  other vegetation and wildlife.

They also say GMOs can contaminate  and mutate wild plants.

And they worry that farmers get locked  into buying seed from GMO companies.

Europe allows GMOs, but currently  less than one percent of its arable land

is being used for their cultivation,  and that too only in five countries:

Spain, Portugal, Slovakia,  Romania and the Czech Republic.

At the moment, there is only one GMO  under cultivation in Europe,

MON 810,  an insect-resistant maize, or corn.

However, 40 GMO-based products  are being imported,

Every GMO product  must be clearly labelled,

except when its GMO content  falls beneath 0.9%.

The last decade has seen a lot of argument  and division between Member States

over the rules  covering the cultivation of GMOs.

But the EU has now  agreed on a new way forward.

Member States can now restrict or ban  the cultivation of GMOs,

if they’re believed  to have a socio-economic impact,

such as affecting countryside planning  or agricultural practices.

The scientific assessment, conducted  on a public health and scientific basis,

remains within the remit of the  European Food Safety Authority.

they can decide whether to grow GM  and non-GM crops side by side,

and determine the distances between them.  Currently they vary from 5 to 600 meters.

Separately, discussions are underway  on whether Member States can restrict,

or ban entirely, the sale and use of  GMO food and feeds on their territory.

Among the issues at stake: the free  movement of goods across internal borders.