The bureaucrats at the European Union (EU) continue to block free movement of genetically modified crops in Europe. Despite the ruling by the World Trade Organization (WTO), in February this year, that such actions violate trade rules, the EU remains recalcitrant. It’s vowing to ignore the WTO ruling, which in itself is irresponsible. Why did the EU, in the first place, subject itself to WTO arbitration process if it well-knew it would trash a ruling that fell short of supporting its position?

The EU must be reasonable. It should do what’s expected of civilized trade blocks – subject itself to the laws of the WTO. Pointedly, there are millions of farmers in Europe who want to cultivate genetically crops, but they are being prevented to do so by bureaucrats at the EU.

Recently, a group of farmers in Germany unveiled an organization to champion the cause of genetically modified crops. The organization InnoPlanta AGIL or “Working Group of Innovative Farmers,” plans to mobilize other farmers to start planting genetically modified crops. I hope the actions of such an organization like InnoPlanta AGIL wilt jolt the bureaucrats at the EU to reconsider their positions on genetically modified crops.

To read more about InnoPlanta AGIL, go to Rainer Paslack’s Blog, Life Sciences Blog, (http://www.lifesciencesblog.com).