(ANSA) - BRUSSELS, JUL 07 - The ban on the cultivation of genetically modified maize provided for by the regional law of Friuli Venezia Giulia is not contrary to EU law, if it has the purpose of avoiding the accidental presence of GMOs in other products and if it is necessary and proportionate to the 'objective.
This was decided by the EU Court of Justice by intervening on the appeal of the farmer Giorgio Fidenato, who had been fined for planting GMO maize.
For the EU Court, the regional prohibition does not violate EU law if it meets certain conditions.
It is up to the national judge, concludes the Court, to assess whether the ban actually pursues the objective of avoiding the accidental presence of GMOs in other products and whether the measure is necessary and proportionate to achieve the objective.
The story dates back to 2015 when Fidenato, an agricultural entrepreneur well-known champion of pro-GMO battles, sowed the transgenic wheat variety Mon810 and was fined by the competent environmental services of the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region for violating the regional law on the matter.
Fidenato appealed against the decision to the Court of Pordenone.
At the beginning of 2021 the judge sent a request for a preliminary ruling to the EU Court, which today published its decision.
(HANDLE).
