European Union environment ministers have voted to allow their member states to ban biotech crops within their borders for non scientific reasons. That measure goes to the E.U. Parliament which is expected to issue a final decision by the end of the year. That type of stance concerns several U.S. farm groups. South Dakota Corn Growers President Keith Alverson says not only has bio tech been proven safe but any decisions on its use should be based on sound science.
Alverson says U.S. negotiators working on the Trans Atlantic or TTIP free trade deal with the E.U. need to take a hard stance in supporting bio tech. He expects Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack to help carry that message.
The recent E.U. decision runs counter to what negotiators had committed to when the Trans Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership talks began.