June 19, 2009
Britain to approve new GM corn varieties
The British government is supporting plans to allow two new varieties of pest-resistant GM corn to be grown.
It is already possible to grow Monsanto's MON810 in Britain, but DEFRA said it was unlikely that British farmers would seek to grow any of the crops because they are designed for warmer climates. On the other hand, campaigners said the crops may be appropriate in the near future due to global warming.
The European Council is currently reviewing two more varieties that are resistant to the corn borer pest, a problem in corn-growing areas of southern Europe and America.
Dan Norris, the Environment Minister, said it is highly unlikely that any GM crops will be grown in the UK for the foreseeable future and before that happens, appropriate mechanisms for separating GM and non-GM crops will be in place.
