Italy bans cultivation of GMO corn seed made by Monsanto, citing environmental concerns
Nevin Barich
ROME
,
July 12, 2013
(dpa)
–
Italy on Friday banned the cultivation of a genetically modified (GM) corn seed made by US company Monsanto, citing environmental concerns.
The Agriculture Ministry said Italian and European scientific studies had found that the insect-resistant MON810 seed could harm biodiversity, possibly posing a threat to "aquatic organisms."
Farming lobby Coldiretti backed the government decision, noting that a poll it commissioned in June showed that 76 per cent of Italians oppose GM crops.
Several other European countries - including France, Germany and Poland - have prohibited MON810, even though such national bans are controversial, since the European Union has yet to decide whether to renew an existing authorization for the seed.
© 2013 dpa
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