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Europe Opens Door to More Gene-Altered Crops
BRUSSELS – The European Commission has cleared three types of genetically modified corn made by Monsanto Co. for use in the Europe Union.
Two types of corn are suitable for human consumption and the third may now be processed in the EU for animal feed. The genetically modified corn, designed to resist several types of pests, can’t be cultivated in the EU, only imported.
Genetically modified crops are a divisive issue in Europe. The commission – the EU’s executive arm – wants to allow them in order to defuse trade tensions with the U.S. and make European agriculture more price-competitive in global markets. Opponents say genetically modified crops damage the environment and cause health problems.
“This authorization comes despite studies showing that farmers in the U.S. and elsewhere are not seeing the reduced pesticide use and higher profits promised by the biotech industry,” environmental lobby group Friend of the Earth said in a statement responding to Friday’s ruling.
There are now nine genetically modified crop strains, developed by companies including St. Louis-based Monsanto and Switzerland Syngenta AG, licensed for use in Europe since a six-year moratorium ended in May 2004.
France, Portugal and the Czech Republic last year joined Spain and Germany in growing some genetically modified types of maize, but the combined area under cultivation is still only about 247,000 acres. In contrast, the U.S. cultivated about 123 million acres in 2005, according to a recent report by the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-Biotech Applications, a nonprofit foundation based in the U.S., Kenya and the Philippines.
Recently, genetically modified crops have faced further setbacks. An Indian cotton-growing region has banned Monsanto seeds and is taking the company to court after planted fields delivered low yields. The licensing of lab-engineered rice in China – expected to boost global genetically modified crop use – has been delayed twice amid concerns about the seeds’ safety and commercial prospects. As part of its bid for EU membership, Bulgaria has stopped growing uncertified genetically modified crops. Romanian farmers also will have to stop using modified soybean seeds soon when the country begins the process of joining the EU.
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