Bulgaria struggles with five-year GM ban

The Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) Act has caused a stir in Bulgaria, prompting parliamentary debates and public protests about lifting the country's five-year ban on GMOs.

Mid-January, the Bulgarian parliament gave a first reading approval to the GMO Act's amendments proposed by the ruling Citizens for the European Development of Bulgaria (GERB) party government to ease the GMO restrictions and get in line with EU legislation.

However, by early February, GERB came under strong pressure from parties across the political spectrum - as well as NGOs - regarding the GMO's potential health hazards.

The opposition Union of Democratic Forces MPs called for banning GMO crop field trials for vines, wheat, rapeseed and tobacco.

President Georgi Parvanov responded this week, saying he will veto any amendments lacking strict GMO safeguards. He also said he may call on parliament to hold a national referendum to maintain GMO prohibitions.

So far, five municipalities have been declared GMO-free by local authorities. In addition, genetically modified crops are banned in areas of the National Ecological Network and in a 30-km radius buffer zone around them.

As the legislative battle gears up, Cacheva commissioned public opinion research showing that 71% of Bulgarians believe the GMO risks outweigh any possible benefits.