November 23, 2007

Syngenta says GM corn block could be a drawback for EU

Biotech company Syngenta AG said the European food and agri-industry stands to lose if EU Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas succeeds in blocking the company's genetically modified corn Bt 11 from being cultivated in Europe.

A spokesman from the company said such corn is already being grown in the US and imported in the EU, and that farmers in Europe would be at a disadvantage if the growing the crop will be blocked.

The spokesman said Dimas made his decision based on recent scientific studies, which have not passed through the key European Food Safety Authority.

For now, the group will await the final decision from the commission, as the spokesman pointed out that Dimas' comment is still a proposal.

Dimas earlier publicly confirmed for the first time his refusal to authorise the cultivation of two varieties of genetically modified corn in the EU.

Dimas said the risk to the environment is too high, based on several recent scientific studies.

Besides proposing to reject the request from Syngenta, he is also proposing to reject US company EI Du Pont de Nemours & Co unit Pioneer's request to grow GM corn 1507.