France wants GM crop banned in EU

The French government has asked the EU to suspend authorisation of a genetically modified maize crop – known as MON 810, from the US company Monsanto.

In a statement the ecology ministry said its request is based on latest scientific studies which, it claims, show that the use of GM crops poses a significant risk to the environment.

Last November President Sarkozy said he would seek new legal measures after the European Court of Justice and France’s highest administrative court overturned a French ban on Monsanto GM crops.

The ministry says if the European Union does not act it can invoke a safeguard clause that allows EU states to independently restrict or prohibit the sale of certain products.

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