Government approves GMO ban extension

The Swiss cabinet has approved a plan to extend the current moratorium on genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in agriculture from 2017 to 2021. However, it has also recommended an amendment to the law to demarcate specific GMO zones in the country in the future. On Wednesday, the cabinet approved changes to the law on genetic engineering that would set in motion the extension of the GMO ban until 2021. The current moratorium would end in 2017 and the government acknowledges that more time and debate is required on the use of GMOs in Swiss agriculture. In 2005, the Swiss people voted for a five-year ban on GMOs, which was then extended by the parliament in 2010 until 2013 and once again in 2012 until 2017. The current plan to extend the moratorium until 2021 will need to be approved by parliament as well before coming into force. Currently the government only allows genetically modified crop field trials on a case-by-case basis under strict conditions. The plants ...