Germany looks set to join Scotland in taking advantage of new EU rules that allow individual countries to ban genetically modified (GM) crops from being grown.

Minister for agriculture Christian Schmidt has written to each of Germany’s state governments to explain he intends to use the “opt out” option when it comes to growing EU-authorised GM crops, according to reports.

See also: Scotland to ban farmers from growing GM crops

It was agreed earlier this year to allow member states and devolved administrations the right to restrict or ban the cultivation of GM organisms in their own territory.

However, any countries wanting to use this option must notify the European Commission by 2 October 2015.

According to Reuters, which says it has seen a copy of the letter, Mr Schmidt has asked each of the state authorities to say by 11 September whether they want their region to be included in the “opt out” request.

Peter Melchett, policy director at the Soil Association, welcomed the move. “It’s great to see that where Scotland has taken the lead to a non-GM, green and clean farming future, the largest and most influential farming country in Europe is now following,” he said.

Scotland’s rural affairs minister Richard Lochhead announced on 9 August that he intended to ban GM crops as he feared they could damage the “clean and green” brand built up in the country.

He said the Scottish government had long-standing concerns about GM crops and it was a decision guided by what was “best for our economy and own agricultural sector”.

But Scotland’s farm leaders said they were disappointed as other countries were embracing biotechnology where appropriate and GM crops could have a role in shaping sustainable agriculture and protecting the environment.