Zaragoza is the capital of Aragon, which research shows has suffered a 75% reduction in the area devoted to organic maize since the introduction of GM maize. Coexistence has proved impossible (item 2).
No wonder Spanish protesters want their government to follow Germany's lead in banning GM maize.
Thousands of people have taken to the streets of the Spanish city of Zaragoza calling for a ban on the use of genetically modified crops.
They want their government to follow Germany's lead in banning GM maize. Berlin's action is against EU rulings that the biotech grain is safe.
The use of GMOs in agriculture is a hugely controversial issue across the EU. Opponents say there are health concerns to be addressed while supporters say it is a perfectly safe and efficient way of meeting Europe's food needs.
"The cultivation of genetically modified maize [in Spain] has caused a drastic reduction in organic cultivations of this grain and is making their coexistence practically impossible." -- Conclusion of research published in the Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Ethics: An impossible coexistence: transgenic and organic agriculture, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, 30 June 2008 http://www.innovations-report.de/html/berichte/studien/bericht-113314.html