German ministers recommend ban on GM maize

(20 February 2009) Two German ministers have stated the wish for conditional bans on genetically modified maize MON810, developed by the Monsanto company. In an interview on 18 February, 2009, with the Berlin-based daily ‘Berliner Zeitung’, the minister for agriculture, Ilse Aigner, questioned the advantages of green gene technology in Germany.

Stating that she has directed her ministry to provide practical recommendations for the establishment of GM-free zones or entire provinces in Germany, Aigner also postulated a ban on MON810. According to Aigner, genetically modified plants are unwanted by both consumers and farmers. This could form the basis for a revision of current approvals.

The minister for the environment, Sigmar Gabriel, expressed similar sentiments: according to the Reuters news agency, Gabriel has suggested that Germany follow the example of “…countries like France that have imposed a unilateral ban on GM maize cultivation”. Furthermore, Gabriel recommended that national policy be reviewed before the start of spring planting.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) is the umbrella organisation for food safety in the EU and has classified MON810 as safe for food and feed. In Germany, this assessment was echoed by the national Federal Office for Consumer Protection and Food Safety (BVL).

In response to the statements by Aigner and Gabriel, a spokesman for the Monsanto company, Andreas Thierfelder, referred to the assessment by the national institution BVL. With regard to the implementation of restrictions, Thierfelder urged that German policy be based on scientific facts rather than on politics.

See also on GMO-Compass:

• GMO Database: maize MON810

Further information:

• EFSA: Request from the European Commission related to the safeguard clause invoked by France on maize MON810