Global News Journal
Beyond the World news headlines
‘Frankenstein’-food fears keep GMOs out of Europe
As the new European Union executive prepares to debate fresh policy proposals which might unblock the stalemate over approving genetically modified crops for feed, processing or cultivation, there are few signs that Europe’s fears over what some have termed “Frankenstein foods” are easing.
On Friday Bulgaria’s ruling GERB party proposed a five-year moratorium on the production of genetically modified (GM) crops for scientific and commercial reasons following public outcry over a new legislation.
Bulgaria follows in the footsteps of Austria, Germany, Hungary and France, all of whom have banned the commercial cultivation of the only GM crop (Monsanto’s MON 810 maize type) allowed to be grown in the European Union.
Why, despite all the assurances from the scientific community and food safety authorities, do so many remain so adverse to GMOs?
European Parliament’s theatre of politics
The European Parliament in Strasbourg
Every five years, the European Parliament gets an opportunity to show its muscle as it quizzes candidates for the next European Commission, the powerful body that enforces EU laws.
But rather than a forensic examination of the 26 nominees – the sort of in-the-spotlight inquisition the U.S. Senate puts presidential appointees through — the European Parliament has a tendency just to go through the motions.
Bulgaria sends in pensioners to retake beaches
Five thousand Bulgarian pensioners are in line for a free holiday.
Could it be a vote catcher ahead of elections next year in the European Union’s poorest member state? The government’s standing in the polls has suffered because of poor living standards and corruption.
Socialist Prime Minister Sergei Stanishev says he wants to give elderly Bulgarians a ‘calm’ life. He also has another motive:
