Deutsche Industrievereinigung Biotechnologie (DIB), the association of German companies engaged in biotechnology, has criticized plans by some EU member states to opt out of planting the genetically manipulated maize Pioneer 1507, which is expected to be approved imminently by the European Commission.
Some EU member states have decided not to plant Pioneer 1507, the genetically manipulated maize expected to be approved by the European Commission. This move has sparked criticism from the Deutsche Industrievereinigung Biotechnologie (DIB), the association of German biotechnology companies. DIB general manager Ricardo Gent said plans by the Commission to allow the opt-out on socio-economic rather than scientific grounds creates an unwanted precedent.
The French government, on February 17, published a decree to prevent the planting of GMO maize as a stop-gap measure while it drafts a longer-term ban. The decree would take effect following a three-week consultation running up to March 9. Annual sowing of maize normally gets under way in the second half of March.
Germany’s abstention in the vote on Feb. 11 paved the way for the Commission to approve the manipulated maize.
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