Wales is the latest country to opt out of growing genetically modified (GM) crops.
Earlier this year the European Union approved new rules to give individual countries the power to decide whether or not they wanted to grow GM crops, including those that have already been approved or are awaiting authorisation.
Welsh farm minister Rebecca Evans has confirmed the Welsh Government will submit a request to the European Commission to request it is excluded from any European consents for the cultivation of GM crops.
This follows similar moves by Scotland and Northern Ireland, leaving England the only country within the United Kingdom likely to grow GM crops.
Ms Evans said the Welsh Government wanted to ban GM crops to protect its organic sector and “safeguard the agricultural land in Wales that is managed under voluntary agri-environment schemes”.
She said: “Our emphasis is on competing on quality, strong branding and adding value through local processing. We, therefore, need to preserve consumer confidence and maintain our focus on a clean, green, natural environment. By having the ability to control what is grown in Wales we can have confidence in preserving these values. I have therefore acted now to ban the eight GM varieties from being grown in Wales that are either approved or about to be approved for cultivation in the EU.”
Despite the ban on these varieties, she said government would keep its position under review and it remained open minded about future GM developments.
The Scottish Government’s decision to ban GM crops has been met with opposition by the farming community and some of the scientific community.
NFU Scotland has criticised the fact the decision was made without consultation with industry.
While the Royal Society of Edinburgh has accused government of leaving Scotland without access to innovations which are making farming more sustainable in the world.