Plaid Cymru MEP and prominent anti-GMO campaigner Jill Evans is urging EU governments not to cave to in to pressure to authorise a new variety of GM maize when they vote on the issue in Brussels on Monday.

Representatives of the twenty seven European governments will decide whether to allow 'Herculex' - a GM maize developed by the seed company Pioneer - on the European market .

Up until now the government have left these decisions to the European Commission, but in an unusual move, permission to use this new GM maize will be put to the vote on Monday.

There are concerns about the dire consequences for efforts to achieve a GM free Europe and keep Wales GM Free if this vote goes through on Monday.

Plaid Cymru MEP Jill Evans commented:

"Approving this new GM maize variety would fly in the face of public opinion which is strongly opposed to GMOs. Studies submitted by the company have shown considerable changes in the blood and in liver weight of rats fed with this maize. These studies undoubtedly raise concerns about the safety of this GM maize for human and animal health.

" The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has once more failed to take these effects into account, but EU Governments should be more careful .

" The United States is pressurising the EU to approve this GM maize quickly. I would urge EU governments to listen to public opinion on this and not allow this new variety of GM maize into the EU whilst health risks remain.

"I urge anti-GM campaigners in Wales to lobby Jane Davidson and David Miliband urgently to stop the UK government from supporting this."