Proposals by the EU Commission for more extensive labelling of genetically modified food are unworkable, peers have claimed.

In a report published on Thursday, members of the Lords' European Union committee warned that tracing food containing or derived from genetically modified organisms is difficult and time consuming.

As a result, labelling advising shoppers of the GM content in line with EU proposals is impractical.

To meet consumers' needs in a more practical way the committee recommends retaining the present labelling regime.

Food producers should build on the existing Identity Preserved (IP) and farm assurance schemes where GM technology has not been used.

Peers called for the term "GM-free" to be restricted to products where the complete absence of GM material can be guaranteed at all stages of production.

The Earl of Selborne, the chairman of the inquiry, said consumers should have the right to choose whether to buy GM food.

"The committee recognises that consumers may wish to avoid products in which genetic modification has played a part - for health, environmental or ethical reasons. They have a perfect right to choose between GM and non-GM products on the basis of the best information that can be made available," he said.

"However, we do not think that the EU proposals are the answer - it is not practical to legislate for the degree of traceability envisaged by the commission, particularly for bulk commodity imports such as soya and maize."