MEPs have given the green light to legislation giving member states stronger rights to ban the cultivation of genetically modified (GM) crops on their land.
West Midlands' MEP Anthea McIntyre, who is from Ross-on-Wye, is concerned about the effects of the move.
"Unblocking the 15 year deadlock on GM cultivation is something I very much welcome," she said.
"But giving Member States the right to ban their cultivation on non-scientific grounds sets a dangerous precedent.
"We need to encourage science and innovation, not deter it. We need to base decisions on scientific evidence, not uninformed prejudice.
"There are enormous benefits that biotechnology can provide.
"The problems we face in feeding ourselves in 40 years’ time are very real and something that we have to prepare for right now. We need to use all the tools available. GM is one of these tools.
"GM is not an experiment. It has been shown to be a safe, affordable, environmentally and economically beneficial technology."
"Farmers worldwide grow GM soya because it is safe and makes business sense for them to do so. "Europe imports soya from those countries because it is safe to consume and because it makes economic sense for us to do so."
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