French government moves to ban the country’s only genetically modified (GM) crop are drawing fire from the speaker of the country’s parliament, growers, and biotechnology industry groups, according to a Reuters news report.
On Jan. 11, the government said it would activate a "safeguard clause" in European law to suspend the commercial use of MON 810, a corn product developed by U.S. biotech giant Monsanto Co. That was the first volley.
Two days later, the National Assembly president, Bernard Accoyer, fired back in the Sunday newspaper, Journal Du Dimanche. According to Reuters, Accoyer wrote that decisions to ban genetically modified organisms (GMOs) should be based on "irrefutable" evidence, implicitly criticizing the government for basing its decision on a panel’s controversial opinion.
"The scientists on this (panel) have disassociated themselves publicly from the conclusions expressed by the chairman of this body," wrote Accoyer. "Can our country really bind its future to this fragile and hasty opinion?" He also argued that GMOs offered potential public health benefits and calling for parliament to establish its own "high authority" to oversee their authorization.
When a country activates the safeguard procedure it has to provide the European Commission, the European Union’s (EU) executive body, with proof there is new scientific evidence justifying a ban. If the Commission and EU member states deemed France’s arguments invalid, France would probably receive an order to lift its ban, a decision it could then appeal.
Around 22,000 hectares — or 1 percent of France’s cultivated land — was sown with MON 810 last year.
In a statement on Jan. 13, the U.S.-based Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) said there were no safety concerns that could justify France’s MON 810 ban.
France ‘s announcement on Jan. 11 coincided with a deadline for the EU to comply with a World Trade Organization ruling to end a ban on imports of genetically modified food. The EU is not due to respond until Jan. 21, leaving it open to possible trade sanctions.
The MON 810 technology, which is also used by other seed makers, is designed to resist the European corn borer, a pest that attacks cornstalks and thrives in warmer climates.
Monsanto says the protein contained in its maize has selective toxicity but is harmless to humans, fish, and wildlife.
The Commission has approved the use of MON 810 around the 27-nation bloc, but several EU countries have expressed concern about its safety, including Austria, Greece, and Hungary.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy defended his government’s decision in a speech on Jan. 12 while emphasizing he was not hostile in principle to the development of GMOs.
(Source: Reuters)
