Bulgaria President Set to Veto Changes to GMO Act

Parvanov concluded that the final decision on whether the GM crop buffer zones are enough should be made after more serious discussion. Photo by BGNES

Bulgaria President Georgi Parvanov has stated Friday that he will veto the amendments to the GMO Act.

Parvanov, speaking in an interview on Darik Radio, said that even with the decision of the Bulgarian Parliamentary Committee on the Environment that GMOs will not be allowed within 7 km of organic farmland, and 10 km away from permanent, registered beehive clusters, he will still return the ammendments for further consultation.

Parvanov continued; “If there will be a 5 year ban on the cultivation of GM crops, what makes us do these changes now. Let us change the law when it is really necessary. I think that Bulgaria has something that it can be really strong with on the world market – organic agriculture.”

He added; “I disagree with the arguments, or at least I'm not convinced that the GMO policy creates sufficient safeguards for human health or the environment. I do not see enough evidence. Perhaps with time these will be shown, but if I'm not sure how it will persuade public opinion.”

Parvanov concluded that the final decision on whether the GM crop buffer zones are enough should be made after more serious discussion.

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