GM crop permits possible in the future?
Environment ministry officials do not rule out granting permits for experimental cultivation of genetically modified (GM) crops, despite a deferment of the decision by the previous minister. The deputy environment minister, Rodoula Zisi, is refusing to take an official stand on the issue, although it is one of the most important matters falling within her competence. In 1999, the then-deputy Environment Minister Thodoros Koliopanos and some of his European counterparts recommended that the EU postpone the granting of licences to grow new GM crops, leading to a de facto moratorium which has applied ever since. At the time, Greece decided to stop granting licences for experimental GM crops in an attempt to protect the environment from unwanted side effects. The joint ministerial committee that was set up prior to this decision to decide on applications received by the ministry has been virtually inactive since then. The rationale behind this decision – which is political and not legally binding – was that the only conclusions that could be drawn from experimental crops were confined to their agricultural features and whether the resistance gene had been successfully introduced. But these are commercial issues and cannot answer the crucial question of what effects these crops might have on the environment, which the ministry must know before allowing them. Though large firms that produce genetically modified foods claim they are growing experimental crops ‘so they know what to reject,’ it is not possible to say, in these circumstances, whether a crop will be safe in such a short period of time. In addition, in many cases abroad, even small samples of experimental crops have contaminated large expanses of conventional crops and even spread to organic crops. Applications Nevertheless, the environment ministry has recently received applications to grow GM crops from various parts of Greece, chiefly from research institutes such as the National Center for Agricultural Research (ETIAGE) and universities, but not from commercial firms or multinational corporations. The only commercial firm which has made an application is Zacharis, which produces beet root. This crop could be extremely dangerous for two reasons. First, there are many closely related wild species in Greece. If they are cross-fertilized by GM seeds, it could lead to the proliferation of pests which cannot be brought under control. Second, according to a recent EU report, because of the method of fertilization, beet root is one of the crops most easily contaminated. Large multinationals like Monsanto are waiting to see whether the ministry will change its stance before making any applications. Representatives of these companies admit they maintain a lively interest in a wide variety of crops. Rice in Kalohori Recently, however, Kathimerini learnt that an application by ETIAGE for a GM rice crop in Kalohori, Thessaloniki, has been lodged with the prefecture. According to the procedure, which has been inactive for three years, the prefecture must make its recommendation within a certain time. This recommendation is advisory, not binding. The environment ministry has made no official response. Until it stops dodging this issue, and takes a firm position on the vital question of GM products, it is open to question whether the issue has not already been quietly brought up again behind the scenes. Shrine collision
