BIO Deems French Ban On Biotech Crops Unnecessary And Unscientific

Main Category: Water - Air Quality / Agriculture
Also Included In: Pharma Industry / Biotech Industry
Article Date: 15 Jan 2008 - 3:00 PDT

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Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) President and Chief Executive Officer Jim Greenwood issued the following statement in response to French President Nicolas Sarkozy's ban on commercial sales and plantings of biotech crops in France:

"BIO is disappointed that French President Nicolas Sarkozy has chosen to impose a ban on the sale and commercial plantings of MON810, a biotech corn variety, in France without any scientific basis. Without new and valid scientific support, this ban is a violation of European Union and international trade laws. The biotech corn variety MON 810 has been thoroughly reviewed and approved in 13 countries, including the European Union, which authorized this biotech corn variety in 1998.

"The biotechnology industry strongly supports a science-based regulatory system for products of agricultural biotechnology. Multiple food safety authorities, including the European Food Safety Authority, have determined MON 810 to be completely safe. There simply are no safety concerns that justify this ban."

"This continued moratorium will negatively impact French farmers, consumers, and the environment. Biotech crops have tremendous potential to reduce the environmental impact of farming. By growing biotech crops, farmers reduce pesticide applications and the consumption of fuel and greenhouse gas emissions, as well as reduce the need for plowing to control weeds, which leads to better conservation of soil and water, and a decrease in soil erosion and compaction.

"BIO urges the U.S. Government and the European Commission to object to this unnecessary and unscientific policy at the highest levels."

BIO represents more than 1,150 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across the United States and in more than 30 other nations. BIO members are involved in the research and development of innovative healthcare, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology technologies. BIO also produces the annual BIO International Convention, the world's largest gathering of the biotechnology industry, along with industry-leading investor and partnering meetings held around the world.

Upcoming BIO Events

- BIO-Asia Partnering Conference
January 28-29, 2008
Tokyo, Japan

- BIO CEO & Investor Conference
February 11-13, 2008
New York, NY

- Partnering for Global Health
March 10-12, 2008
Washington, DC

- BIO-Europe Spring
April 7-9, 2008
Madrid, Spain

- BIO National Venture Conference
April 22-23, 2008
Boston, Mass.

- World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology & Bioprocessing
April 27-30, 2008
Chicago, Ill.

- 2008 BIO International Convention
June 17-20, 2008
San Diego, Calif.

Biotechnology Industry Organization