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France bans MON810 maize
Jan. 16, 2008
Biotechnology industry groups have condemned the French government's decision to ban the sale and cultivation of Monsanto's genetically modified insect-resistant MON810 maize. The government has invoked the "safeguard" clause under the EU GMO registration Directive (2001/18), which allows member states to ban EU-approved crops on health or environmental grounds. France will have to submit new scientific evidence to back its claims to the European Commission. Industry groups maintain that there is no scientific basis for the government's action.
"There is no justification whatsoever for France to invoke the safeguard clause," Monsanto says. "Monsanto will now review all options, including appropriate legal remedies. Monsanto will continue to defend our farmer customers' rights to choose," the company said.
In December, French president Nicolas Sarkozy announced the suspension of the cultivation of GM crops while the government considered health and environmental issues. MON810 maize is the only GM crop grown in France. Prime Minister Francois Fillon said the latest move followed advice from a government-appointed committee that there were "serious doubts" over whether the maize could be grown without risk, reports Reuters. There was also evidence that GM maize pollen could spread further than originally thought, he added.
However, the government's view has been denounced by 12 of the 15 members of the committee, who claim that the term "serious doubts" does not appear in their report, according to French newspaper Le Monde. The members question the government's interpretation of their conclusions. The committee report noted that a full study could not be carried out due to lack of time, they point out.
The European biotechnology industry association, EuropaBio, and the US Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) have condemned the French ban as unscientific. "Multiple food safety authorities, including the European Food Safety Authority, have determined MON810 to be completely safe," the BIO says.
Source: AgroNews
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