UK to Speed GM Crop Authorization Following EU Approval: Official

British consumers might soon see genetically modified (GM) crops on the shelves after Members of the European Parliament voted to allow countries to decide for themselves whether or not to grow GM crops.

MOSCOW, January 13 (Sputnik) — The United Kingdom is set to fast-track the authorization of genetically modified (GM) crops, UK's head of GM policy and regulations wrote, in an email acquired by the Guardian Tuesday.

“We now expect to see GM maize 1507 get its final authorization in the near future, and new applications should be approved much more quickly than has been the case until now,” the Guardian quoted Sarah Cundy as saying, in an email to the National Farmers Union.

The email comes in light of new legislation, approved by the Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) on Tuesday, allowing member states to make their own choices with regard to the cultivation of GM crops.

According to the newspaper, EU nations will be able to grow crops approved by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

EU changes rules on #GMO crop-growing http://t.co/xqStvpqcVI

— khanck (@Cammy_K1) 13 января 2015

Earlier this year, the United Kingdom supported the EU’s authorization of Maize 1507, a product genetically modified to be insect-resistant and to tolerate certain herbicides. The ruling came despite the attempt by 19 EU nations to block its use over environmental safety and health concerns.

#EPlenary: the #GMO vote has passed with over 400 votes in favour. Watch Live: http://t.co/oYdx4N1zgg pic.twitter.com/PCMVG380kP

— Europarl UK (@EPinUK) 13 января 2015

Currently, the United Kingdom does not grow genetically modified crops commercially. Experimental trials have, however, been carried out on potatoes and wheat in recent years, according to the watchdog GeneWatch UK.

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