President vetoes genetically modified seeds law

President vetoes Seed Law; photo - PAP/Radek Pietruszka

President Bronislaw Komorowski has vetoed the so-called “Seed Law” on GM crops, following a series of consultations with experts.

Komorowski had referred to the bill as “legal junk,” affirming today that the act had become so muddled as to be incompatible with the law.

The bill, which appeared to open the gateway to GM crops in Poland, was prepared after a 2006 law banning such practices was referred to the EU Court of Justice for failing to comply with EU policy.

Nevertheless, at a press conference this morning at the Belvedere Palace, Komorowski insisted that he was not against GMO per se, but rather that the bill itself was “legal junk.”

The president had earlier insisted that there is no scientific evidence to confirm that GMO practices are harmful to humans or the environment.

He voiced his hopes that a new bill, solely concerned with GMO, should be implemented after this October's elections.

The president had previously expressed his regret that the subject had not sparked wider public debate.

Parliament would technically need a 3/5 majority to overturn the president's veto. (nh/pg)