French supreme court confirms ban on MON810

(March 21, 2008) In France the supreme court has rejected a fast track motion by maize growers and Monsanto to lift the national ban on the cultivation of the genetically modified maize MON810.

This year, French farmers will not be allowed to grow genetically modified maize. The national maize growers association (AGPM) and eight more plaintiffs including biotech companies Monsanto and Pioneer failed with their application to annihilate the government's ban on the only GM maize approved for cultivation in the European Union, the Bt variety MON810 by Monsanto. The Council of State dismissed their claim and thereby confirmed the government's decree, to suspend the approval for cultivation until the relevant European authorities reviewed the safety of the transgenic maize. The government had already imposed a cultivation ban on MON810 in autumn 2007. In early February this year, a French "High Authority" on biotechnological products has raised doubts on the safety of the Bt maize variant. It stated negative effects having an impact on wildlife and the environment.

The decision of the Council of State is not final. The judges will have to look into the scientific justification of the government's decree. A date is yet to be set. Hearings are expected within the coming months. However, with the ban still in force at the end of March, any new decision would come to late for this year's maize planting season. Already, the maize growers estimate their financial disprofit at 10 million €, caused by pests and higher costs for plant protection measures. According to the AGPM, around 100.000 hectares of MON810 would have to be grown in France this summer without the ban, while it were only 22.000 hectares in 2007.

See also on GMO Compass:

• GM maize
• France struggles with its attitude towards biotechnology (February 11, 2008)

Further information:

• Decision by the French Council of State
• Reaction of the national maize grower's association