Responding to the news that a panel of European experts failed to reach a decision on whether to authorise a controversial new variety of GMO, Plaid Cymru MEP Jill Evans hailed the decision as a partial victory in the campaign for a GM free Europe, and a GM free Wales.

The All-Wales MEP is a long standing and prominent anti-GMO campaigner had called on representatives of the twenty seven EU states not to cave in to pressure and lobbying by authorising the new variety of GM maize, known as Herculex.

Speaking from Brussels, Ms Evans said:

"This is good news for those of us who choose to say no to GMO. There were serious concerns about this variety of GM maize and strong suggestion that the rush to authorise it had more to do with heavy external lobbying than science and safety.

"I'm pleased that EU governments have put on the brakes and allowed some time for reflection. There is a clear and growing consensus across the EU on GMOs - given the choice people would rather not eat food contaminated by these genetically modified substances.

"It's now up to EU ministers to listen to public opinion and to science and block this untried and untested GM maize variety."

Until now governments have left these decisions to the European Commission, but in an unusual move, permission to use this new GM maize was put to the vote this week in Brussels amongst government representatives.

There were concerns about the dire consequences for efforts to achieve a GM free Europe and keep Wales GM Free if this proposal had achieved the required qualified majority in voting this week.