Currently the only approved genetically modified plant in Slovakia is maize.

A ban on growing genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and their use in foodstuffs needs to get approval in Slovakia, according to the activists who handed in petition sheets calling for such action to the Agriculture and Environment Ministries.

The petition has been signed by more than 16,700 people from across Slovakia.

“A basic requirement [of the petition] is to approve a ban on GMOs in Slovakia,” said Daniel Lešinský of the petition committee, as quoted by the TASR newswire.