Biotechnology giant Bayer CropScience has decided to discontinue further efforts to commercialise its GM maize variety, Chardon LL, in the UK.

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The company said constraints on the crop’s approval in the UK meant that it was no longer economically viable.


The UK government recently said it agreed in principle to the commercial cultivation of Chardon LL after trials showed it did not damage wildlife.


“The government has however placed a number of constraints on this conditional approval before the commercial cultivation of GM forage maize can proceed in the UK. The specific details of these conditions are still not available and thus will result in yet another ‘open-ended’ period of delay. These uncertainties and undefined timelines will make this five-year old variety economically non-viable,” Bayer said.


Bayer CropScience said it remains committed to the further development of plant biotechnologies in the UK.

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