Belgium Turns Down Cultivation of Biotech Oilseed

BRUSSELS, Belgium, February 4, 2004 (ENS) - The Belgian government has rejected an application from Bayer CropScience to grow genetically modified oilseed rape, a crop that provides food oil known as canola in North America. The government decided Monday that growing oilseed that is engineered to be herbicide tolerant would have uncontrollable negative impacts on biodiversity.

Bayer had applied through Belgium for a license to grow the genetically modified oilseed throughout the European Union, which is now considering applications for the cultivation of biotech crops following a six year moratorium. The country of first application can decide whether to approve or reject the crop. If approved, it to goes to the next stage for approval by the full European Union.

While rejecting cultivation of the oilseed crop, Belgium did approve Bayer's request to import and process the product, and agreed to move that request to EU stage. The import part of the application will now be forwarded to other EU member states.

In decided to reject cultivation, Belgian ministers followed the advice of their biosafety scientists, who relied on studies done during genetically modified crop trials in Britain.

Oilseed rape, known in North America as canola, seen here growing in a British field. (Photo courtesy DEFRA)

Henk Joos, global head of Bayer CropScience, said the decision was politically motivated and the company has "serious concerns" about the way its application was handled.

While disappointed that Belgium did not turn down the entire application, Friends of the Earth Europe and Greenpeace welcomed Belgium's rejection of crop cultivation.

Adrian Bebb, campaigner for Friends of the Earth Europe said, "Genetically modified oilseed rape will harm the environment and contaminate non-GM agriculture, whether it is grown in the EU or elsewhere in the world. Protecting the environment by rejecting GM crops should be the first responsibility of every government."

The environmental groups point to UK studies demonstrating that insects can carry the pollen of oilseed rape over many kilometers. They says such research underlines how "immensely difficult, if not impossible, it would be to contain the cultivation of GM oilseed rape and protect non-genetically engineered farming."

Karen Simal of Greenpeace Belgium said, "Consumers are to some extent protected from genetically modified organisms (GMOs) as many food manufacturers refuse to allow GMOs in their products, but allowing such ingredients on the market places an extra burden on them. Although most consumers have made it clear they don't want GMOs in their food, they will need to keep on actively rejecting such products."

Two other applications for a similar crop, also by Bayer, are being processed by Germany.