France has announced a temporary ban on a strain of GM corn amid doubts over the safety of the product.
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The French government has decided to ban the MON180 strain of GM maize, pending an EU review of recommendations made by a steering committee for the French GM crops commission.
The commission is to be established by a new law that will be discussed in the French parliament from 5 February.
MON180 is the only GM crop grown in France – just over 2,000 hectares were cultivated last year – and it is used as an animal feed crop.
Owner Monsanto has criticised research findings that suggest pollen from GM crops can be transferred over kilometres rather than the current recommendations, measured in metres.
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By GlobalData“The review adds nothing new to the considerable body of scientific tests and reviews already carried out on MON180,” Monsanto said.
Monsanto added that it would look to defend its customers’ right “…to use authorised products without restrictions and guarantee their freedom of choice”.
The French government, meanwhile, is preparing to boost its research budget for biotechnology to EUR 45m (US$66.9m), an eight-fold increase on current levels. Planting for maize would normally take place in April and the current announcement is a temporary measure.
Meanwhile, militant peasant José Bové has called off his high-profile hunger strike against GM crops, which had attracted widespread popular support in France.
