"According to all the polls, a large majority (70 percent) of consumers reject genetically modified food, and so the market will judge the usefulness of this commerce," Gianni Alemanno said in a statement.

"This decision, which was expected, concerns finished products which under European rules must be fully labelled to provide consumers with an absolute freedom of choice," he noted, adding that the Italian government would be "vigilant" to ensure the rules are followed.

"A much more serious problem is that of GM seeds used in agriculture, and it is on this point that we must remain especially firm because the use of GM in farming can contaminate non-GM farming... which would threaten the freedom of choice of consumers and producers," he said.

Several environmental groups lashed out against the decision, but agreed that consumers would shun the GM products.

"Citizens do not want food with GM ingredients," said Francesco Ferrante, head of the environmental group Legambiente, while adding: "If Europe gives in to the logic of the strongest, and the desire of the United States to impose GM products, it will be the consumers who will maintain the moratorium by their actions, by refusing to buy genetically modified products."

La Coldiretti, a farmers' union, saying the decision "exposes Europe to pointless risks that EU citizens will be able to avoid" thanks to the labelling rules.

TERRA.WIRE