Currently, 40 countries including Germany, Russia, China, and India (19 of which are in the European Union (EU)) have partially or fully banned GMOs. Another 60 countries have significant restrictions on GMOs
Here, we provide a list of the current global stance on GMOs. It is a comprehensive and up-to-date list of countries and territories where GMOs are banned; the types of bans, dates of bans, and specific crops banned where available.
Countries with GMO Bans:
- Algeria
Type of Ban: Cultivation and imports banned.
Date: Since 2000
- Australia
Type of Ban: Cultivation banned in Tasmania and Kangaroo Island; imports allowed.
Date: Varies by region.
- Austria
Type of Ban: Cultivation prohibited; imports allowed.
Date: Enforced since early 2000s.
- Azerbaijan
Type of Ban: Cultivation banned; imports allowed.
Date: Early 2000s.
- Belize
Type of Ban: Cultivation banned; imports allowed.
Date: Early 2000s.
- Bhutan
Type of Ban: Cultivation and imports banned.
Date: Since 2004.
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
Type of Ban: Cultivation banned; imports allowed.
Date: Since 2004.
- Bulgaria
Type of Ban: Cultivation prohibited; imports allowed.
Date: Since 2014.
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- Croatia
Type of Ban: Cultivation prohibited; imports allowed.
Date: Since joining the EU.
- Cyprus
Type of Ban: Cultivation prohibited; imports allowed.
Date: Since joining the EU.
- Denmark
Type of Ban: Cultivation prohibited; imports allowed.
Date: Since joining the EU.
- Ecuador
Type of Ban: Cultivation banned; imports allowed.
Date: Since 2008.
- France
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Type of Ban: Cultivation prohibited; imports allowed.
Date: Since early 2000s.
- Germany
Type of Ban: Cultivation prohibited; imports allowed.
Date: Since early 2000s.
- Greece
Type of Ban: Cultivation prohibited; imports allowed.
Date: Since early 2000s.
- Hungary
Type of Ban: Cultivation prohibited; imports allowed.
Date: Since 2005.
- India
Type of Ban: Only Bt cotton is allowed; other GMOs prohibited.
Date: Since 2002 for Bt cotton.
- Italy
Type of Ban: Cultivation prohibited; imports allowed.
Date: Since early 2000s.
- Kenya
Type of Ban: Cultivation of white maize approved; other GMOs prohibited.
Date: Since 2012.
- Kyrgyzstan
Type of Ban: Cultivation and imports banned.
Date: Since 2014.
- Latvia
Type of Ban: Cultivation prohibited; imports allowed.
Date: Since joining the EU.
- Lithuania
Type of Ban: Cultivation prohibited; imports allowed.
Date: Since joining the EU.
- Luxembourg
Type of Ban: Cultivation prohibited; imports allowed.
Date: Since joining the EU.
- Madagascar
Type of Ban: Cultivation and imports banned.
Date: Since 2002.
- Malta
Type of Ban: Cultivation prohibited; imports allowed.
Date: Since joining the EU.
- Mexico
Type of Ban: Cultivation of GM corn banned; imports allowed but restricted.
Date: Since 2013 for cultivation, with tighter import restrictions from 2024.
- Moldova
Type of Ban: Cultivation banned; imports allowed.
Date: Early 2000s.
- Netherlands
Type of Ban: Cultivation prohibited; imports allowed.
Date: Since joining the EU.
- Norway
Type of Ban: Cultivation prohibited; imports allowed.
Date: Early 2000s.
- Peru
Type of Ban: Cultivation banned; imports of soy and corn allowed.
Date: Since 2011.
- Poland
Type of Ban: Cultivation prohibited; imports allowed.
Date: Since early 2000s.
- Russia
Type of Ban: Cultivation and imports banned.
Date: Cultivation banned since 2014; imports banned since 2014 (with a partial reversal in 2020 for soy).
- Saudi Arabia
Type of Ban: Cultivation banned; imports allowed.
Date: Early 2000s.
- Serbia
Type of Ban: Cultivation banned; imports allowed.
Date: Early 2000s.
- Slovenia
Type of Ban: Cultivation prohibited; imports allowed.
Date: Since joining the EU.
- Switzerland
Type of Ban: Cultivation banned; imports allowed.
Date: Since 2005.
- Turkey
Type of Ban: Cultivation banned; imports allowed.
Date: Early 2000s.
- Ukraine
Type of Ban: Cultivation banned (though often ignored); imports allowed.
Date: Since 2013.
- Venezuela
Type of Ban: Cultivation and imports banned.
Date: Since 2004.
Regions with GMO Bans
California, USA: Some counties like Humboldt, Marin, Mendocino, Sonoma, and Trinity have bans on cultivation but allow imports.
Colorado, USA: Boulder County has planned bans on GMO corn and sugar beets on county-owned land.
Oregon, USA: Jackson County has a cultivation ban.
Maine, USA: Montville County had a cultivation ban (enforcement expired in 2018).
Washington, USA: San Juan County has a cultivation ban.
South Australia: Kangaroo Island has a cultivation ban.
Tasmania, Australia: Cultivation banned but imports allowed.
European Union
The EU allows member countries to opt-out of GMO cultivation. As of the latest data, 19 EU countries including Germany, France, and Italy have banned the cultivation of specific GMO crops like MON810 corn.