France seeks new GM corn ban

FRANCE is to "look at all ways of not cultivating" genetically modified corn after its highest court overturned the ban on planting genetically-modified maize.

Agriculture Minister Bruno Le Maire was speaking after the Conseil d'Etat said the government had not proved that crops from US GM giant Monsanto "present a particularly elevated risk to either human health or the environment".

The court was following in the footsteps of the European Court of Justice which in September ordered France to think again on its ban - after fining France €10 million in 2008 for "unlawfully" delaying the implementation of 2002 EU rules allowing GM crops.

Ecology Ministry officials say that the "potential environmental impact" of the GM crops has not been tested to see if it conforms to EU rules.

France banned the growth of insect-resistant MON810 maize from Monsanto in 2008 on public safety grounds. It is said to be resistant to insect pests.

Le Maire said that the new Conseil d'Etat ruling did not come as a surprise but the government did not accept the case for allowing the corn to be planted and said "there are still too many uncertainties about the environmental consequences".

Greenpeace France campaigns director Sylvain Tardy called on France to impose a new ban quickly, so stop Monsanto starting planting next spring.

Green groups have been in the forefront of supporting the ban and he called on President Sarkozy to act on an issue that many French felt strongly about.