Environment

Germany bans GM maize

by Barbara McPherson | April 15, 2009 at 08:53 am

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Germany joins five other European countries in banning the planting of genetically modified maize(corn). This throws down the gaunlet to the manufacturer of the GM corn, Montsanto.
Under World Trade Organization rules, countries do not have the legal right to decide what crops may or may not be planted.
Much of the US corn crop is grown from GM seed.

Germany has outlawed the cultivation of Monsanto's genetically modified maize, Mon810 - the only GM crop approved in the European Union.

It joins five other countries — France, Austria, Greece, Hungary and Luxembourg — that have banned the pest-resistant maize despite its approval under a legally-binding EU directive.

Monsanto, a US company, told the German News Agency that it plans to take legal steps to secure its right to trade freely in Germany. Under World Trade Organization rules, the United States has the right to seek retaliatory measures against regulations that block trade

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kuuva

at 12:55 on April 15th, 2009

how is GM so different than hybrid seeds?

Monsanto already had permission to sell its seeds in the EU.

http://www.foodnavigator.com/Legislation/EU-grants-Monsanto-GM-approval

I do think we need to tread lightly and not have rapid change in plants. And while I like the idea of creating strains resistant to specific issues like herbicides or catapillars, we need to be make sure this does not break some part of the food chain. I hope all of the pollen is sterile too, there is no way to stop the wind.

I know the farmers are only trying to improve their yields/acre, which is great for many reasons. But I can tell you the price of bread has really gone up in the last few years. That really comes down to the crappy ethonal production. okay another whole story.

sara star

at 14:23 on April 15th, 2009

In India farmers planted GM (cotton) seed, borrowing a lot of money, and still had failing crops... many who have committed suicide. Sad....

Barbara McPherson

at 15:53 on April 15th, 2009

Hybrid seeds are the result of crossing two different varieties of the same plant -- say tall peas and short peas to get medium sized peas -- as a really simple example. If you plant the seeds from the medium plants you will get either tall or short peas BUT all the genes in the plants are pea genes. GM organisms have genes from another species inserted. Some mice have jellyfish genes inserted into their genetic makeup. The GM corn has a gene from a Roundup(also made by Montsanto) into their genetic makeup. The seeds are viable. The pollen may cross with roadside weeds to produce superweeds. The seeds fall from trucks on the way to the grain elevator and Monsanto sues those farmers who don't want the GM seeds but find it in their fields, because all farmers using GM seed must buy it every year from Montsanto. Some GM corn poisons the corn borer worm. Unfortuneately it also poisons butterflies that do it no harm.

The biotech companies also are producing seeds that produce normal looking plants, but they are all sterile(terminator seeds) forcing farmers to buy seed every year instead of saving seed from the crop.

After that long winded explanation, I'll say, yes we do need to tread lightly.

sara star

at 14:43 on April 15th, 2009

I am so glad to see Germany take this stand.

In America, it is frightening. I published two posting in regards to GM.

One is about the newest thing on the market GM Rice.

And one on Bill 875, which may ban backyard gardens, and organic gardens, paving the way for Monsantos.

sara star

at 14:45 on April 15th, 2009

Barbara, thank you for this information. Well presented. I hope I am not rambling on, but I am passionate about this subject.

I can't believe that Germany has no say in an American company selling their product in their own country. Have they no sovereignty?. Or maybe I should go now and read the NWO story posted today....

Paschen

at 17:52 on April 15th, 2009

Monsanto is today more powerful then the US government it self and wants to dictate its will internationally.

The Petrol industry is being replaced by Monsanto and company in it power and influence over the US Government why the arrogance and dictatorial aptitude.

Due to super industries such as Monsanto the WTO will fall apart. Should Germany allow GMO it would literally mean a revolution in the country and the end of the Government there.

Countries such as Germany and Austria will leave the UN, the WTO, the EU and form a new alliance if they have to since the people are so strongly against Monsanto that they rather break away then follow the US into a GMO demise lead by Monsanto reckless environmental record. Even Japan is thinking of banning GMO all together, realizing that this trend is bond to bring us major trouble.