EU-28: Agricultural Biotechnology Annual
In the European Union (EU), governments, the media, non-governmental organizations, consumers, and industry associations remain conflicted about the use of agricultural biotechnology. Acceptance varies widely across countries. A complex policy framework developed under pressure from anti-biotech activists has limited research, development, and production. The EU produces very few genetically engineered (GE) plants and animals but, with the growing adoption of biotechnology around the globe by leading agricultural producers, it imports millions of tons of GE soybean and corn products every year. Recent developments include a political agreement that allows Member States to ban cultivation of GE crops in their territories for non-scientific reasons, a move that may increase the pace of regulatory approvals, and a legislative proposal on animal cloning.
