Monsanto to stop GMOs in EU

All approval requests for new types of genetically modified (GM) crops filed with the European Union would be stopped within the next few months, Monsanto President and Managing Director for Europe Jose Manuel Madero told British news agency Reuters on Wednesday.

The withdrawal would affect requests for growing genetically modified maize, one soybean and one sugar beet, Madero was quoted as saying.

The move was prompted by a lack of commercial prospects for cultivating GMOs (genetically modified organisms) in the 28-nation bloc, and came as the US-based company was re-focusing on its conventional seeds business in Europe, Madero added.

However, the firm's president also stressed that the decision would not mean Monsanto was withdrawing its application to renew the approval for its insect-resistant MON810 maize.

A spokesman for the EU Commission had confirmed that Monsanto had informed the relevant authorities within the European Union executive about its plans.

MON810 maize is the only gene crop currently being commercially cultivated in the EU. However, a number of EU countries, including France, Germany and Poland, have imposed national bans, reflecting strong public opposition to GMOs.

Last week, Italy also imposed a ban claiming scientific studies had found that MON810 seed could harm biodiversity, posing a threat to aquatic organisms.

Italy's farmers backed the ban, noting that a poll in June had shown that 76 percent of Italians opposed genetically modified crops.

uhe/kms (Reuters, dpa)