Welsh Euro-MP Jill Evans has welcomed today's EU decision to maintain the de facto moratorium on new approvals for GM marketing licenses. This comes after an EU regulatory committee rejected the marketing of a type of genetically modified sweetcorn - the UK was one of the minority of EU countries that voted in favour. Jill Evans MEP is a long standing anti-GM campaigner who has led a number of initiatives in the European Parliament in support of consumer choice and informed science in relation to the GM debate.

Commenting on today's decision, Jill Evans MEP, Deputy Leader of Plaid Cymru the Party of Wales, said:

"This is a victory for the consumer. Time and again consumers say that they do not want GM crops and surveys repeatedly highlight consumer concerns about GMs entering the food chain. I am pleased that Europe has listened and that the de facto moratorium on GM marketing licences has been upheld.

"But the behaviour of the British government is indefensible - how dare they vote to lift the moratorium given the state of public opinion in Britain which is overwhelmingly opposed to GMs. Whilst concerns remain about the safety of GM crops and with public opposition at such overwhelming levels it is irresponsible of the UK government to try to lift the moratorium in this way."

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