May 28, 2009

Greece has extended its ban on a GM corn seed developed by US biotech giant Monsanto for another two years, the Agriculture Ministry said Wednesday (May 27).

 

The ban on importing and cultivating MON810 has also been expanded to include 100 types of the seed, up from 70 last year, the ministry said.

 

MON810 is designed to produce a toxin that repels insects, therefore reducing the need to use insecticides. The EU authorised the use of MON810 five years ago.

 

But Greece, which has banned MON810 since April 2005, said the seeds could harm human health while the crops contain pollen that could threaten the country's beekeeping industry. Greece produces about 16 percent of Europe's honey.

 

Austria, France, Germany and Hungary have also banned MON810.