Farmers and beekeepers protested outside Warsaw’s parliament building, Wednesday, against allowing the cultivation of GM crops in Poland.

The protest comes in the wake of a ruling by the European Commission giving GM potato crop farmers the green light to grow the crop across the continent, the second GM variety to be legally grown in Europe after corn.

Poland should not abide by Brussels’ decision, as seven other EU countries have objected to the ruling, said the protesters:

"We have come from Bielsko-Biała, southern Poland,“ one of the protesters told Polskie Radio. “We represent the Professional Beekeepers Association. People are unaware that the pollen from genetically modified flowers is very toxic for the bees, as it blocks their digestive system and no bee family that feeds on genetically modified corn will not survive the winter," he claimed.

Supporters of GM crops point to the durability and immunity to pests and the enhanced taste of the modified plants. A proposed government bill on GMO provides for an adjustment of Polish law to EU regulations, control over lab tests and the registration of the sale of GM seeds in Poland. (ab/pg)