ORGANIC FARMING DWARVES GM-CROPS IN EUROPE AS PUBLIC REJECTION HITS BIOTECH FIRMS
Friends of the Earth Europe, February 7 2012

A factsheet including 2011 GM crop cultivation figures is available at:http://www.foeeurope.org/GMOs/FoEE_factsheet_organic_farming_dwarves_GM_Feb2012.pdf

Brussels Public resistance to genetically modified crops has ensured that the area grown in Europe in 2011 remained at 0.1 per cent of all arable land, shows figures released today by Friends of the Earth Europe. In comparison, organic farming accounted for 3.7 per cent. 

The figures follow recent announcements of the biotech industry retreating from parts of Europe.

Mute Schimpf, food campaigner at Friends of the Earth Europe said: "The public's rejection of genetically modified crops has ensured that they are confined to small pockets of the European Union. Politicians need to listen to public opinion and throw their weight behind the demand for greener and safer farming. Genetically modified crops should play no role in the future of Europe's farming."

Last month the world's biggest chemical company, BASF, announced that it was halting the development and commercialisation of genetically modified crops in Europe. It said its decision was due to, “lack of acceptance for this technology in many parts of Europe from the majority of consumers, farmers and politicians". [1]

Similarly Monsanto announced that it would not sell its genetically modified maize, MON810, in France in 2012, and beyond. [2]

Mute Schimpf continued: "Resistance to genetically modified crops isn’t restricted to Europe. People worldwide are objecting to the power of the biotech companies and their push to control the global food chain. 

"The evidence against genetically modified crops continues to grow. Since their introduction in the Americas, herbicide use has rocketed as farmers try to control fast evolving super-weeds, now resistant to many chemicals. Communities and nature are paying the price of the resulting pollution. The biotech system of farming is a dead-end and will fail to meet the needs of the future." 

For more information please contact:

Mute Schimpf, food campaigner for Friends of the Earth Europe, Tel: +32 (0) 2 893 10 38, Mob: +32 (0) 475 703 475, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

A Friends of the Earth Europe factsheet showing cultivation figures, based where possible on official statistics, is available at: http://www.foeeurope.org/GMOs/FoEE_factsheet_organic_farming_dwarves_GM_Feb2012.pdf

[1] BASF, BASF to concentrate plant biotechnology activities on main markets in North and South America, 16 January 2011 http://www.basf.com/group/pressrelease/P-12-109

[2] Le Soir, Monsanto : Pas de vente de maïs transgénique en France en 2012, 25 January 2012, http://www.francesoir.fr/actualite/societe/monsanto-pas-de-mais-transgenique-en-france-en-2012-177577.html