Romania is the only European producer of genetically modified soy; however, representatives of ecological groups say that these cultures should have been forbidden long before Romania was scheduled to enter the EU.

Two-thirds of Romanian soy cultures are genetically modified. They are cultivated on an 88,000 hectare surface, 0.6 percent of Romania's total agricultural surface.

American biotechnology companies Monsato Co. and Pioneer sold genetically modified seeds to Romania ten years ago.

By 1989 Romania was the largest producer of soy in Europe.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forests and Rural Development announced at the beginning of February that modified soy cultures would be eliminated beginning February 1, 2007 as to comply with EU laws.

These cultures are to be allowed this year, but producers have been required to show on food product labels the presence of genetically modified organism (GMO)'s.

Beginning June 30, producers of all genetically modified crops will be obligated to label these products accordingly. Until now this rule has been applied only to products containing genetically modified soy and corn.

Ecologists said that an earlier ordinance pertaining to this sector would have initiated producers to start developing traditional cultures, which the authorities then should have monitored closely.

Ana Maria Bogdan, a representative for the organization Greenpeace, believes that the restrictions should have been applied starting this year.

"The time is too brief to stop uncontrolled cultures. The traditional cultures will be contaminated with GMO's after Romania's EU accession," said Bogdan.

The representatives of ecological groups believe that GM cultures are impossible to stop because of artificial breeding, natural dispersion of seeds and illegal trade.

"It's chaos," said Ion Scurteli, the president of the Cereal Wholesalers Employers Association and added that farmers sell seeds illegally which may cause suspicions from EU consumers. The government showed that additional regulations for the soy cultures are being developed and compensation for their losses could be given.

"If financial support is required, the government will take this into consideration," said the spokeswoman for the Ministry of Agriculture, Adriana Tibu.

Soy cultivators who used genetically modified seeds and gave up natural seeds, which cost more money, said that the future interdiction will cause losses to soy producers.

Monsato Co. also expressed its disappointment concerning the government's decision.

Jonathan Ramsay, a Monsato representative, explained that the most affected producers will be those who reported double profits, transforming Romanian soy production.

Madelyn Spirnak, a biotechnology advisor for the State Department of the United States, said in September 2005, that genetically modified plants could become the solution to climate changes that affected last years' crops.

Spirnak said experts from several countries, including neighboring Bulgaria, are currently developing research programs for the creation of drought-resistant and flood-resistant hybrids. Among the benefits of this type of culture, the American expert underlined their higher productivity, lower costs and the lowered risk of soil erosion.

Constantin Sin, a councilor in the Ministry of Agriculture, said in February 2005, that the average production of GM soy surged by 500 kilograms to 2.5 tons per hectare last year.

The soy is chiefly farmed in the southeastern part of the country, in counties such as Braila, Calarasi and Ialomita.

Romanian consumers have been using imported edible oil from transgenic soy for over 13 years.

In 2004, the leading countries producing genetically modified soy were the United States - 47.6 million hectares, Argentina - 16.2 million hectares, Canada - 5.4 million hectares and Brazil - 5 million hectares.

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