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Germany to ban genetically modified maize
Apr 14, 2009, 9:42 GMT
Berlin - Germany has decided to ban genetically modified maize, Agriculture Minister Ilse Aigner announced Tuesday.
The decision affects MON 810 seeds produced by US agriculture giant Monsanto, which is the only genetically modified seed currently allowed on German soil.
Monsanto's seed was due to be planted on 3600 hectares of German farm land this year, predominantly in the east of the country.
MON 810 includes a gene which protects it against a pest, the European corn borer butterfly. The seed has been approved for commercial use in the European Union since 1998.
Aigner had reviewed critical studies on the environmental consequences of planting the seed, as well as drawing on a report by Monsanto which had declared their product safe.
Some EU countries have already banned Monsanto's genetically modified seeds over safety concerns.
The ban comes in the wake of political pressure from Bavaria in particular, where Aigner's Christian Social Union (CSU) is based.
Germany's Green and Left party have long called for a ban, alongside environmental campaign groups.
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AbuelitaApr 14th, 2009 - 10:14:23
In Mexico, the cradle of corn, the holder of the most ancient seed lineages is in danger from these American mutants. They fly from field to field and cross pollenate, even tho' they are not supposed to be able to and they create, mixing with the ancient corns, three and four headed stalks, curved corn on the cob, furry cornsilk mutant monsters, really scarey looking corn, people.
Ban the damned things now before they take over the gene pools.
ANd Most of America's fake seeds sold to others cannot be planted just as is and grown again and again from seeds gathered. You must buy a totally new bag of seeds each season. Poor farmers then remain always poor as they cannot reuse seeds, but must purchase more each season. Unprecedented BS.
Ban the monster mutant impoverishing things now.
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