EUROPE’S most powerful nation is to follow Scotland’s lead by proceeding with a ban on the growing of genetically modified (GM) crops.
German agricultural minister Christian Schmidt has signalled he wants to push ahead with a ban at federal level and has written to regional governments in the country to inform them of his plans.
Scotland became the first European country to opt out of bloc-wide GM licence cultivation approvals earlier this month, a move it said was needed to preserve the country’s “clean and green brand” and protect the reputation of its food and drink sector.
Germany now appears to have joined Scotland’s position, with the news agency Reuters reporting on Monday that Schmidt has written to German local governments of his intention to use a new EU law to ban the use of GM crops.
Last night, Scottish environmental campaigners welcomed the German intervention and said more EU states may follow suit.
Pete Ritchie, director of Nourish Scotland, said: “We congratulate German agriculture minister Christian Schmidt for following Scotland’s lead by announcing that Germany plans to ban the growing of GM crops at federal level.
“This is an encouraging signal that Europe will maintain the precautionary principle. Germany is a major agricultural producer and home to a fast-growing organic sector, and of course as the biggest food market in Europe is high on the list for Scottish food exports.
“Other EU member states can be expected to follow suit, lending further support to the Scottish Government’s decision to go first on this key policy issue.”
Alison Johnstone MSP, the Scottish Greens’ food spokesperson, said: “It’s welcome to see Germany, like Scotland, continuing with a policy of no genetically modified crops. GM is not the answer to food security, and would represent further capture of our food by big business.”
SNP MSP Rob Gibson said: “Like Scotland, the German government recognises the importance of protecting its food and drink sector and keeping its environment clean and green.
Scotland’s food and drink sector is worth £14 billion nationally and is the lifeblood of many communities – taking this step protects our green brand and reputation for quality food.
“In government, the SNP has ensured that Scotland is at the forefront of environmental protection – legislating for world-leading climate change targets, significantly increasing renewable generation and placing a moratorium on fracking.
“The German decision shows that Scotland is now also leading Europe on GM crops.”
The new EU law approved in March cleared the way for new GM crops to be approved after years of previous deadlock.
But the law also gave individual countries the right to opt out by banning GM crops even after they have been approved as safe by the European Commission.
Previously, when the EU approved crops as safe to produce they had to be permitted for cultivation in all EU states.
Under the new EU rules, countries have until October 3 this year to inform the European Commission that they wish to opt out of new GM cultivation approvals.
Last week, scientists and researchers attacked the Scottish Government over its stance, urging ministers to rethink the ban which they said would “constrain Scotland’s contribution to research”.
A letter signed by almost 30 scientific organisations to rural affairs secretary Richard Lochhead raised concerns about the move, while Dame Anne Glover, former chief scientific adviser to the Scottish Government, spoke out about the Scottish Government’s apparent lack of consultation on the issue.
“I really wish [Mr Lochhead] had talked to the community before the announcement was made. It is always hard for anyone to go back on a statement once you make it,” she said at the time.
“I hope they can show some leadership here and revisit this and see what the possibilities are of judicious use of GM and other technologies.”
Glover, who is also a former chief scientific adviser to the European Commission, insisted the cultivation of GM crops could be consistent with a green agenda.
The Royal Society of Edinburgh has set up a working group on the GM crops and is hoping to present evidence to Holyrood’s rural affairs and environment committee and meets with Lochhead next month.
The German announcement also comes as Professor Carlo Leifert, Professor of Ecological Agriculture at Newcastle University, said that he strongly believes the Scottish Government ban on GM crops is right and that “there are likely to be significant commercial benefits from Scotland being clearly recognised as a GM-free region”.
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