Europe must ensure greater self-sufficiency in non-GM animal feed by producing more protein crops domestically and by raising consumer awareness of the issue, according to a number of European farm ministers.
They support the findings of a conference earlier this year, "How to maintain GMO-free agriculture in Europe", organised by the Slovenian and Hungarian agriculture ministries.
Some European countries are pressing for "Non-GM" food labels to raise awareness and educate consumers. But the United Kingdom and Spain have expressed caution over such a move.
They point out that European Union new rules already allow countries to ban GM cultivation and they stress European Food Safety Authority's risk assessments must not be undermined.
Meanwhile European Health chief Vytenis Andriukaitis has expressed surprise at criticisms of Commission plans to allow bans on GM food and feed imports. He said it offered a new possibility for countries to opt-out "for national societal reasons".
