EU environment ministers have voted in favour of a new law that would theoretically allow member states to ban the cultivation of genetically modified (GM) crops on their territory. At today’s Environment Council, a majority supported the compromise, with only Luxembourg and Belgium abstaining. Several environment groups opposed the deal. Under the ministerial accord, a member state could request that a company applying for the authorisation of a GM plant in the EU adjusts the “geographical scope” of its application so that the territory of that state will be excluded from cultivation. If the company opposes the adjustment, the government could opt out of GM cultivation for agricultural or social reasons, such as public opposition. Luxembourg's environment minister, Carole Dieschbourg, voiced concern that the compromise could lead to a new wave of approvals of GM plants when member states could agree to approve GM plants in return for a company’s willingness to adjust another application. Environmental organisations shared these concerns, warning that the changes would increase the amount of GM crops on Europe’s fields and give biotech companies an official role in the banning process. “It is unacceptable that companies like Monsanto will be given the first say in any decision to ban their products. Governments must be able to ban unwanted and risky GM crops without needing the permission of the companies who profit from them”, said Mute Schimpf, food campaigner for Friends of the Earth Europe. The text agreed in Council today will now go back to the newly elected European Parliament for a second reading.