The arguments of MAF are: the maintenance of pure gene pool and gene lines of Bulgarian maize varieties, the existence of risks in using GMO maize related to disturbance of the country’s biodiversity and threats for the selected local maize varieties and modifications of the gene pool of the maize in the country.
The ban of GMO maize MON810 in 2011 was adopted after one of the most intense activities of the civil society in Bulgaria in 2010 – a lot of demonstrations, protests, events and actions. 97% of the Bulgarians hold the opinion that Bulgaria must continue standing up for the existing bans for growing GMOs on its territory even before the European Union.
This showed the last public opinion research carried out by NCRPO in 2010. These attitudes have not changed.
“We support the CM act and think that the restriction for MON810 could be set further on other varieties and kinds of GMOs.” “Bulgaria has resources and potential for sustainable development not with GMOs, but by applying sustainable practices, as well as usage of Bulgarian varieties, including local, old and threatened with extinction varieties and sorts”, states Dr. Svetla Nikolova, chairman of AGROLINK Association.