Romanian Agriculture Minister pleads for GM soy

Romanian Agriculture Minister Valeriu Tabara on Wednesday said he wanted his country to grow genetically-modified soy, a crop that is not currently allowed by the European Union.

Romania every year imports about 500,000 tons of GM soy from Brazil, the United States and other countries. It is unacceptable that we are allowed to consume this poison but that we are not allowed to produce it, Tabara said quoted by Romanian news agency Mediafax.

Romania could grow about two millions of tons of soy. It is the only European country that can grow this plant at an industrial level, the minister added.

In September last year, over 70 environmental NGOs including the WWF called for the sacking of Tabara for his links to the genetically modified crop industry.

Just two GM-crops are currently authorised in the EU-- a maize strain for animal feed and a potato for paper-making. Decisions on a lengthening list of others are in deadlock.

Seven states -- Austria, Bulgaria, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary and Luxembourg have banned Monsanto maize cultivation.