French GM ban infuriates farmers, delights environmentalists

0 Comments | AFP, February, 2008

PARIS (AFP) — France officially banned Saturday a strain of genetically modified corn from US agribusiness giant Monsanto, delighting environmentalists but sparking outrage from the company and French farmers.

At least one association planned a legal challenge to the ruling, but leading environmental campaigner Jose Bove welcomed the decision, describing it as the fruit of a 10-year battle by anti-GM groups.

A spokeswoman for Monsanto said Saturday that France's decision to outlaw the use of the MON810 strain of corn, the only GM crop grown in France, "had no scientific basis".

She added: "Monsanto is studying all the legal options to defend the liberty of French farmers to use safe and authorised products."

Farmers affected by the decision expressed...