MEP vote could help EU members boost soil quality

Governments in EU member states could find themselves given more scope to protect their countries' soil quality following an MEP vote.

The representatives voted overwhelmingly in favour of allowing nations to ban the growth of genetically modified (GM) produce.

Should the legislation be confirmed by the European Council, governments will be able to justify their decision to halt the distribution of GM foods simply by citing environmental concerns.

A report stated: "Those measures may be based on grounds relating to environmental or other legitimate factors such as socio-economic impacts."

The MEPs also noted that the decision to grant greater powers to individual states would not detract from environmental analysis carried out by the EU.

Meanwhile, the EU revealed this week that it is suspending the use of certain varieties of Egyptian seeds in Europe.

The decision was made after Fenugreek seeds were found to have links to the recent E. coli outbreaks in northern Germany and France.

Posted by Lauren Steadman