With not a single vote in favour and 168 against, proposals to lift existing limitations on cultivation of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in Bulgaria were thrown out by Parliament on March 18 2010.

The surprise decision came after ruling GERB party changed its position and dropped its support for the bill, Bulgarian-language daily Dnevnik said.

The bill had been the subject of protests for months, with the latest being held on the day of the vote in front of the buildings of Parliament.

Before the vote, Prime Minister Boiko Borissov was quoted by Dnevnik as saying "Parliament will ban GMOs today. I do not know what these protesters are doing out there, or who sent them. These people should wait and Parliament will vote today first."

The proposal to lift the ban was tabled by the Environment and Water Affairs Ministry and was initially supported by GERB. According to the ministry, existing European legislation did not allow for all-out bans of GMOs and each type of GM crop would have to be individually examined.

During discussion in Parliament, Georgi Bozhinov, MP for the Coalition for Bulgaria, asked whether the change of heart of the ruling party did not run counter to EU legislation. Environment Minister Nona Karadjova said the decision would indeed be in violation of the current EU directive.

According to Sergei Stanishev, former prime minister and leader of the Bulgarian Socialist Party, Bulgarian parties had long reached a consensus on the issue and the proposed changes had been unnecessary and only led to needless unrest in society.

"As former prime minister, I can confirm that there has long been economic, as well as political pressure, to allow GMO crops in this country," Dnevnik quoted Stanishev as saying. Stanishev, however, did not name individuals or companies involved in the pressure.

"As minister, I have done my duty and I would like to see an end to this speculation about my motivation," Karadjova was quoted by Dnevnik as saying.

With only one vote against and 144 in favour, Parliament ruled that no breeding or field trials of GMO crops would be allowed inside protected areas, including the Natura 2000 areas, as well as a 30km buffer surrounding these areas.

Spokespersons of anti-GMO protesters said the decision de facto meant an all-out ban on GMO crops in the country.