On January 11, French Prime Minister Francois Fillon announced what amounts to a ban on the commercial growing of MON810, a type of genetically modified corn. MON810, marketed by the US biotech company Monsanto, is the only GM crop grown commercially in France.
France has a history of active farmer resistance to GM crops. In December, consumer and grower groups scored a victory when the government acted to temporarily ban MON810, pending the outcome of a government investigation.
The committee of scientists, farmers, politicians and consumer organisations reported back on January 9, expressing serious doubts about whether MON810 could be grown without risks.
The committee pointed to new negative evidence, including contamination of non-GM plants and harm to biodiversity.
As a result, the French government is activating a safeguard clause until European Union authorities can re-evaluate the safety of MON810, which the EU approved for commercial use in the 27-nation bloc.
Anti-GM organism (GMO) groups welcomed the ban, but French ministers have since stated that the government is not against all GM technology.
Previously, US biotech companies reacted to the EU's ban on the import of GM food by making a case to the World Trade Organisation that the decision violated world trade rules. The EU lost its case before the WTO in 2006 and subsequently relaxed its moratorium to allow some GM imports, including MON810, whilst excluding others.
The WTO ruled that the EU must lift its remaining restrictions by January 11, but the EU has failed to comply. US industry groups are pressuring the US government to push the WTO for sanctions against EU goods.
Austria has continued to practice a ban on MON810 and has expressed determination to maintain its blanket rejection of GMOs.