Seed Today - Q1 2008 - (Page 72)

France Bans Its Only GM Crop The precautionary principle and “serious doubts” bar MON 810 corn Citing “serious doubts” about GM crops, the French government on February 9 suspended the use of genetically MON 810 Bt corn in that country while it awaits EU approval for a full ban. MON 810, the only type of GM corn authorized for planting in France, was raised on 54,000 acres in 2007. “I don’t want to be in contradiction with EU laws, but I have to make a choice. In line of the precautionary principle, I wish that the commercial cultivation of genetically modified pesticide GMOs be suspended,” French President Nicolas Sarkozy said in October, 2007. The President’s wish became reality in February when France invoked an EU safeguard procedure to ban MON 810 corn after a watchdog said it had doubts about the product. At the same time, the government also announced it was investing 66 million dollars in vegetable biotechnology, an eight-fold increase over the current budget. Internal Controversy France’s Provisional High Authority on GM Organisms pointed to what it described as “a certain number of new scientific facts relating to a negative impact on flora and fauna” in an announcement three days ahead of the formal ban announcement. The Authority’s Chairman JeanFrancois Le Grande did not release details of the new facts. Twelve of the 15 scientists who compiled the authority’s referred to by Le Grande complained that Le Grande had misrepresented their findings. They say their initial report did not use the words “serious doubts” or “negative” concerning the latest evidence on GM crops. Under European Union laws, a member state can invoke a safeguard clause, enabling it to bar a GM crop that has otherwise been given EU-wide authorization, provided it has scientific evidence to back this decision. “There is therefore no reason for the French provisional High Authority, other than short-term politics, to express doubt about the ability of French farmers to safely cultivate biotech maize in France,” says Nathalie Moll, Executive Director, European Association for Bioindustries. Howard Minigh, President and CEO of CropLife International, says, “Arbitrary bans are not a constructive solution.” Response No. 721 72 First Quarter 2008 http://www.futureseedexecutives.com http://www.futureseedexecutives.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Seed Today - Q1 2008

Seed Today - Q1 2008 Contents Editor’s Notes Cover Feature: Agrecol® Corporation Reed Barker, Ph.D. Cal/West Seeds Inc. Annual GM Use Report Bt Resistance Reported Camelina Tony Harper Gayle Jacklin According to ASTA Krauter Structures AOSCA AOSA/SCST GM and Greenhouse Gas Seed Associations Ad Index

Seed Today - Q1 2008

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