Bulgaria President Georgi Parvanov has stated that the amendments to the GMO Act should include strict safeguards to protect Bulgaria from contamination.

Parvanov outlined what he believes need to be included in the GMO Act. He confirmed with that he will veto the amendments if they are not stringent enough. He added that he may also use his right to call on the Bulgarian Parliament to hold a national referendum on the issue for or against retention of the prohibitions on release into the environment of GMOs.

“Our society perceives the release of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) as a threat to human health, Bulgarian nature and the development of organic farming.” President Parvanov said in his statement.

He added that “the public expressed concerns and a principled position on the legislative framework for the use of GMOs in Bulgaria - the policy should remain conservative and restrictive, based on the principles of prudence and precaution.”