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ON THE same side at last. Backers and opponents of genetically modified crops in Europe both object to new rules governing their growth.

The , , will let individual countries decide whether GM crops can be grown within their borders. It is meant to break that has allowed countries opposed to GM crops, such as France, to block them being grown elsewhere in Europe.

Anti-GM states will no longer be able to block Europe-wide approval of new GM crops, so pro-GM governments will be able to grow them. And member states would be able to ban GM crops from their farms without evidence that they harm the environment or human health.

Greenpeace, which opposes all GM crops, says .

The biotech industry isn’t happy either. Trade association EuropaBio says : that crops should be allowed everywhere if the decides they pose no risk.

The new rules face one more reading in the European parliament before becoming law.

This article appeared in print under the headline “GM kerfuffle”