The Minster of Rural Development has ordered an immediate investigation of seeds and crops after it came to his attention that certain quantities of genetically modified (GMO) maize seeds had entered Hungary illegally across the country’s eastern borders.

Sándor Fazekas announced his decision following the opening of a street festival in Budapest’s 7th district. The Minister stressed that keeping Hungary GMO-free is a primary national interest, and several thousand hectares of maize have had to be destroyed during the past two years as a result. The investigation is now centred on whether farmers have sown such seeds, and whether there is GMO contaminated corn in the country, he said.