WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S. — Farmers in Slovakia have changed direction on their approach to planting genetically engineered (GE) crops over the past decade, according to a Global Agricultural Information Network (GAIN) report from the Foreign Agricultural Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

In 2006, Slovak farmers planted 30 hectares of GE crops, a figure that grew to a record high 1,930 hectares in 2008. Now, there are no GE crops under development in the country.

“Demand for GE products, specifically including meat and dairy produced from animals fed GE-feed, has dwindled under the influence of antibiotech non-governmental organizations (NGOs), retailers, and neighboring countries (Austria, Hungary, and Germany),” the USDA said. “Where the Slovak government was previously supportive of biotechnology, they have since changed their stance, again likely in response to local messages originating from antibiotech NGOs and activist groups.”

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.