French law temporarily bans GM-maize planting while larger ban gains steamPublished time: February 18, 2014 02:21
The French government issued a decree Monday forbidding farmers to plant genetically-modified maize in the immediate future while the government drafts a comprehensive law that will attempt to ban the practice nationwide.
French officials maintain that GM crops constitute a serious environmental risk, despite a senior court striking down two national prohibitions on GM maize (corn) in recent time. GM opponents were also frustrated recently by the European Union, which failed to agree on whether or not to ban a new strand of GM-maize. The lack of consensus makes it more likely that the EU Commission will approve its cultivation.
Genetically-modified crops have drawn the attention of much of the international community because they are scientifically produced to resist herbicides. Yet little independent research has studied at what cost that modification does to humans who ingest those same crops.
Among the most commonly cited causes for concern is the skyrocketing resistance to antibiotics, although increased toxicity in food and lower nutritional values are also considered factors.
GM maize has been no exception to the controversy, with many scientists and environmentalists decrying the unconventional food as an unsafe and unnecessary replacement to standard corn.
The French law forbidding GM maize will go into full effect by March 9, after an estimated three weeks of government consultations and in time to prevent manipulated maize when the sowing season begins in the latter half of March.
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http://rt.com/news/french-gm-maize-planting-ban-481/
