Half of Europe opts out of new GM crop scheme

Bid for exclusion by 14 countries and three regions would make two-thirds of Europe's population and arable land GM-free

Half of the European Union's 28 countries and three of its regions have opted out of a new GM crop scheme, in a blow to biotech industry hopes.

Under new EU rules agreed in March, 14 countries have now told Brussels they will send territorial exclusion requests to the big agricultural multinationals including Monsanto, Dow, Syngenta and Pioneer.