Both industry and ecology groupings have criticized the decision by the European Union's environment ministers to allow member states to opt out of allowing cultivation of genetically manipulated crops, even if the products have been approved for planting in the 28 member states generally.

The decision was made in expectation of a decision by the European Commission to allow the cultivation of a GM maize developed by seeds producer Pioneer in cooperation with chemical multinational DuPont.

Up to now, authorities of individual countries could decline approval of EU-authorized GMO crops only if they were privy to new scientific information. Under the new rules, they could also reject approval on socio-economic grounds.

If a member state decided not to allow planting of a GMO crop allowed by the EU, the affected company could either opt for planting only in countries that have given the green light or seek a separate approval from those rejecting it.

Commenting on the June 12 vote, the German Biotechnology Association (DIB), a sub-group of the chemical industry association VCI, said a decision by the EU to approve cultivation should be followed by all member states. Adding socio-economic to scientific criteria opens the door to arbitrary decisions, said DIB general manager Ricardo Gent.

In Gent's words, it would be "fatal" to Europe's research climate and its position as an innovator if the EU abandons objectivity and creates legal uncertainty.

With the environment ministers' decision, the chance to reform European agriculture laws has finally been abandoned, said the ecology group Friends of the Earth. FoE's German section echoed the same concerns voiced by DIB ,that socio-economic considerations are too ill defined.

While DIB fears that this clause will be invoked to ban cultivation, FoE fears the opposite.