Romania Can No Longer Rely On Pesticides In Agriculture - Minister

Agriculture cannot rely on the use of pesticides, which pose health risks, Romanian Agriculture Minister Valeriu Tabara said Thursday at the Mediafax Talks about GMOs conference, and highlighted that genetically modified plants reduce the use of chemicals.

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The minister pointed out that pesticide-based agriculture is no longer an option.

Tabara said Wednesday Romania is missing out on almost EUR1 billion every year because it does not farm genetically modified soybeans, since the national production potential is about two million tons.

"Romania imports almost 500,000 tons of soybeans annually from Brazil, the U.S. and other states, and it is produced exclusively through biotechnology. It is unacceptable to be allowed to consume 'poison,' but not be allowed to produce it," said Tabara.

The minister pointed out that Romanians consume a genetically modified product every day - the wheat from which bread is made.

"Romania could grow two million tons of soybeans, as it is the only European state that can produce this plant industrially," said Tabara, adding that products developed through biotechnology are 40-60% cheaper than the original plants.

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