In a vote of 480 to 159, the European Parliament's plenary session on Jan. 13 cleared the way for member states to opt out of planting GM crops, even those declared safe by EU authorities.

Under the rules, a member state can now opt out on environment and political grounds rather than just safety.

When a company applies for permission to plant a genetically modified crop or sell modified seeds in the EU, a member state wishing to opt out will be required to inform the applicant - through the EU - that planting on its soil is prohibited.

The Green faction in the Parliament voted against the legislation originally placed on the EU agenda in 2010, agreed by the Council and the Commission but held up in discussion since then.

Rather than keeping genetically altered crops out of Europe, they believe it would actually open the door to them, as pro-GM governments such as that of the UK could see it as a signal to allow more plantings.

Some of those voting against the measure said they expected that food safety authorities in Brussels would be more inclined to approve pending GM applications because of the safety net offered by individual countries being able to ban them.

Other commentators said the measure, which is being billed as a compromise to balance the differing positions of member states, was created to sideline the issue for politics, but in practice will result in chaos due to regulations on GM crops changing at national borders."

"Despite a majority of EU member states and citizens being consistently opposed to GMOs, the real purpose of this new scheme is to make it easier to wave through EU authorizations of GM crops," said Bart Staes, food safety spokesman for the Greens in the European Parliament.

Jeff Rowe of EuropaBio, the trade association representing biotech industries, called the EU's move a "stop sign for innovation in Europe."

EuropaBio called for all "23 safety-assessed products" waiting for approval by the European Commission - which presumably would not fall under the new legislation - to be approved without delay.