The EU's efforts to increase the use of genetically modified (GM) food products in member nations have suffered a big blow. The European Commission (EC), EU's administrative wing, had proposed to order five member countries to lift their bans on certain GM products. But environment ministers of 22 of the 25 members recently voted against the plan. This was quite a loss of face for the body that is desperate to prove its point to the US, Canada and Argentina, which have filed objections to its biotechnology policy in the World Trade Organization.

"What is certain is that today's vote sends a political signal that member states may want to revisit some aspects of the existing system,' said EU environment commissioner Stavros Dimas, who is considered GM-wary. But observers say it may not be easy for Dimas to convince five other concerned commissioners (of trade, agriculture, research, industry and food safety) to give members more flexibility in growing and importing the already approved GM foods.