www.checkbiotech.org ; www.raupp.info ; www.czu.cz

Austria is planning to hold a pan-European debate about genetically-modified
(GM) farming, following strong Swiss support for a five-year ban on gene
technology in a referendum on Sunday (27 November), November 2005 by Lucia
Kubosova.

Vienna will take over the EU's six-month rotating presidency in January
and aims to host a conference about GM crops on 4-5 April, the country's
agriculture minister Josef Proell has announced.

Austria is one of the staunchest opponents of GM technology in the EU and is
sticking to its own ban on modified plants within its territory.

Along with Italy, Austrian authorities indicated they view the Swiss vote as
strong proof of the European public's opposition to GM farming.

Although Switzerland is not a member state of the EU, the result of the
referendum will "make people think," Italian agriculture minister Gianni
Alemanno commented.

Swiss citizens supported a five-year moratorium on the farming of
genetically modified plants and animals, paving the way for introduction of
the toughest restrictions yet in Europe.

Over 55 percent of voters backed the moratorium, with a majority supporting
the move in all 26 of the country's regions or "cantons."

The decision forces the Swiss government to impose a full moratorium on the
cultivation of GM crops and the import of animals whose genes have been
modified in the laboratory, despite officials' pro-GM feeling.

But the new law will not forbid import of genetically modified food or ban
research into GMOs (genetically-modified organisms).

EU battle

Swiss campaigners say they co-operated with groups from the EU and expect
the Swiss result to generate strong popular backing for similar moves across
the EU.

But the biotechnology sector fears that a Europe-wide anti-GMO trend could
stifle research.

The European Commission declined to comment on the result of the Swiss vote
on Monday, but confirmed it would study its implications for future trade
relations with the Alpine federation.

The EU executive last year lifted a six-year moratorium on the sale of GM
foods.

Some of the bloc's member states, like Spain, the UK and the Netherlands
argue that Europe has sufficient safeguards in place and should move ahead
on GM farming.

But several other countries insist new tests must be carried out before
allowing widespread farming of GM crops.

Spain is currently the only EU country with large areas given over to GM
crops.

[euobserver.com]

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