France is to maintain a temporary ban on the cultivation of genetically modified crops, Reuters quoted French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault as saying on Saturday. Thus, Ayrault's remark is dealing a blow to farmers and seed companies who say the move is unjustified and economically harmful. The ban, which targets Monsanto's MON810 maize, the only genetically modified organisim (GMO) currently allowed in Europe, was introduced in March after a previous moratorium was annulled by France's top court last November. "The government is keeping its moratorium on the cultivation of GMO seeds currently authorised in the European Union," Ayrault told an environmental conference in Paris. As Europe's largest crop-grower, France is under pressure to soften its stance on GMO crops, particularly after experts found this year there was no evidence justifying a ban. French and European farmers have voiced fears the restrictions could make them fall behind in the competitive world grain market, and the EU said in May it was considering ordering the government to lift its moratorium. However, in a country that is fiercely protective of its agriculture, regarding it as part of its national identity, the government faces strong public resistance to GMO crops, as well as to the use of chemicals in farming. -- SPA
