Switzerland bans GMOs for three more years

10.03.10 Berne – Switzerland’s House of Representatives has voted to extend the moratorium on use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in farming and animal breeding until 2013. The move had been expected, after a majority of the Scientific Commission of the Swiss National Assembly, as well as the Council of States previously, voted for an extension of the moratorium origninally introduced by popular vote in 2005. The GMO ban was due to end this year but results of a huge research programme (NF59), which defines what impact GMO acreage might have on Swiss agriculture, has been delayed. Because results are not expected to be published until the middle of 2012, Swiss parliament voted for an extension of the moratorium. Research on GMOs remains restricted, but "sowing under strict conditions" will be still permitted.