Switzerland extends GMO moratorium by three years

The Swiss government has extended the national moratorium on the planting of genetically modified crops by three years, according to reports in the Swiss press. The current moratorium runs until November 2010 and the new measure will mean that no GM crops will be grown for the production of food and feed in the country until late 2013 at least. Trials may continue “under strict conditions”. The extension will allow time for a national research programme, the NFP59, to assess the benefits and risks of GM crops, the Ministry of the Environment says. The results are expected by mid-2012.