Wednesday’s failure to agree GM seed thresholds is a mark of a “lame duck” European Commission, claims a centre-left MEP.

UK Socialist MEP Linda McAvan is disappointed by the move to postpone a controversial decision – probably until José Manuel Barroso’s new commission team takes over on November 1st.

“We have a lame duck commission,” she told EUPolitix.com. “They don’t want to take tough decisions, the sooner we get a new commission the better.”

Controversial EU proposals on establishing GM trace thresholds for seeds have been withdrawn by Brussels chiefs after deep divisions emerged.

The proposals which would allow for 0.3 per cent of GM traces to be present in oilseed rape and maize seed was pulled from the commission’s agenda as the EU executive gathered for its weekly meeting.

A commission spokesman suggested that the commission intended to seek further guidance and clarification on the subject.

“The file is not yet mature for decision,” said the spokesperson.

Reacting to the decision, prominent anti-GM campaigner and MEP Jill Evans, said she was “very pleased” with the delay.

“We called on the commission not to go ahead with the decision today, because it was going against the views of the European Parliament on co-existence,” said Evans.

“It really undermines the whole essence of co-existence policy, if they were going to allow this level of contamination.”