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
2. Australia
- Type of Ban: Cultivation banned in Tasmania and Kangaroo Island; imports allowed.
- Date: Varies by region.
3. Austria
- Type of Ban: Cultivation prohibited; imports allowed.
- Date: Enforced since early 2000s.
4. Azerbaijan
- Type of Ban: Cultivation banned; imports allowed.
- Date: Early 2000s.
5. Belize
- Type of Ban: Cultivation banned; imports allowed.
- Date: Early 2000s.
6. Bhutan
- Type of Ban: Cultivation and imports banned.
- Date: Since 2004.
7. Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Type of Ban: Cultivation banned; imports allowed.
- Date: Since 2004.
8. Bulgaria
- Type of Ban: Cultivation prohibited; imports allowed.
- Date: Since 2014.
9. Croatia
- Type of Ban: Cultivation prohibited; imports allowed.
- Date: Since joining the EU.
10. Cyprus
- Type of Ban: Cultivation prohibited; imports allowed.
- Date: Since joining the EU.
11. Denmark
- Type of Ban: Cultivation prohibited; imports allowed.
- Date: Since joining the EU.
12. Ecuador
- Type of Ban: Cultivation banned; imports allowed.
- Date: Since 2008.
13. France
- Type of Ban: Cultivation prohibited; imports allowed.
- Date: Since early 2000s.
14. Germany
- Type of Ban: Cultivation prohibited; imports allowed.
- Date: Since early 2000s.
15. Greece
- Type of Ban: Cultivation prohibited; imports allowed.
- Date: Since early 2000s.
16. Hungary
- Type of Ban: Cultivation prohibited; imports allowed.
- Date: Since 2005.
17. India
- Type of Ban: Only Bt cotton is allowed; other GMOs prohibited.
- Date: Since 2002 for Bt cotton.
18. Italy
- Type of Ban: Cultivation prohibited; imports allowed.
- Date: Since early 2000s.
19. Kenya
- Type of Ban: Cultivation of white maize approved; other GMOs prohibited.
- Date: Since 2012.
20. Kyrgyzstan
- Type of Ban: Cultivation and imports banned.
- Date: Since 2014.
21. Latvia
- Type of Ban: Cultivation prohibited; imports allowed.
- Date: Since joining the EU.
22. Lithuania
- Type of Ban: Cultivation prohibited; imports allowed.
- Date: Since joining the EU.
23. Luxembourg
- Type of Ban: Cultivation prohibited; imports allowed.
- Date: Since joining the EU.
24. Madagascar
- Type of Ban: Cultivation and imports banned.
- Date: Since 2002.
25. Malta
- Type of Ban: Cultivation prohibited; imports allowed.
- Date: Since joining the EU.
26. Mexico
- Type of Ban: Cultivation of GM corn banned; imports allowed but restricted.
- Date: Since 2013 for cultivation, with tighter import restrictions from 2024.
27. Moldova
- Type of Ban: Cultivation banned; imports allowed.
- Date: Early 2000s.
28. Netherlands
- Type of Ban: Cultivation prohibited; imports allowed.
- Date: Since joining the EU.
30. Norway
- Type of Ban: Cultivation prohibited; imports allowed.
- Date: Early 2000s.
31. Peru
- Type of Ban: Cultivation banned; imports of soy and corn allowed.
- Date: Since 2011.
32. Poland
- Type of Ban: Cultivation prohibited; imports allowed.
- Date: Since early 2000s.
33. 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).
34. Saudi Arabia
- Type of Ban: Cultivation banned; imports allowed.
- Date: Early 2000s.
35. Serbia
- Type of Ban: Cultivation banned; imports allowed.
- Date: Early 2000s.
36. Slovenia
- Type of Ban: Cultivation prohibited; imports allowed.
- Date: Since joining the EU.
37. Switzerland
- Type of Ban: Cultivation banned; imports allowed.
- Date: Since 2005.
38. Turkey
- Type of Ban: Cultivation banned; imports allowed.
- Date: Early 2000s.
39. Ukraine
- Type of Ban: Cultivation banned (though often ignored); imports allowed.
- Date: Since 2013.
40. 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.