13 June 2007 - The unelected European Commission is undermining EU democracy by supporting GM crops and foodstuffs despite the opposition of over 70% of EU citizens and more than half of the EU’s member countries, Green MEP Caroline Lucas told a Brussels conference.

More than 170 EU regions and 4,500 other zones have now declared themselves GMO-free but in the absence of qualified majority in the Environment Council the Commission continues to authorise new GM varieties, and force countries to allow their cultivation, she said.

"It is outrageous that in the face of this overwhelming opposition we still have to constantly marshal our efforts to try to stop the drip-drip-drip of vested corporate and misguided economic interests seeking to force GMOs upon us."

She made her comments at a conference organised by the Institute of Science in Society at the European Parliament.

Dr Lucas, a member of the European Parliament’s influential Environment Committee, also criticised the "secretive and pro-GMO" European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) for its support for the GMO industry.

She warned that the risk of contamination meant it may be impossible for conventional and organic agriculture to stay GMO-free, and said liability for financial losses sustained as a result of GMO contamination should fall on the polluter.

"We must review GMO legislation to ensure that all impurities in seeds are labelled as far as possible, and that foods such as milk, meat and eggs are also clearly labelled if they derive from GM ingredients or feeds," Dr Lucas added.

"Until these urgent measures have been agreed and come into effect we must have a moratorium on all further approvals.

"Currently, there are at least 18 varieties of GM crops which have been authorised for cultivation in the EU, despite evidence that GM varieties pose a real threat to the environment. This is at least 18 too many."

ENDS