By Rady Ananda
France cannot ban food and feed with genetically modified organisms based on the emergency safeguard clause it cited for its 4-year ban, ruled the Court of Justice of the European Union on September 8, without proof of a “clear and serious risk to human or animal health or the environment.” [1]
This comes on the heels of Tuesday’s high court ruling that all food products containing GMOs – whether intentional or not – must undergo an approval process. GMO opponents applauded that tightening of restrictions, since it paves the way for damage claims by those whose crops or honey become genetically contaminated by neighboring GM fields.
Today’s ruling, however, counts as a win for Monsanto and the EU Commission in their ongoing power struggle to defeat independent sovereign rejection of GMOs on the precautionary principle – a far less stringent, but more scientifically sound standard that acknowledges the dangers of genetic manipulation.
By Rady Ananda
Food Freedom 