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French farmers will cultivate significantly more genetically modified
plants in 2007. Referring to statements by a spokesperson of the French
maize growers' association, AGPM, Reuters reports that between 30,000
and 50,000 hectares of Bt-Maize MON810 will be cultivated in the
upcoming season, March 2007.

In the previous year, only 5,000 hectares of GM plants were found on
French fields. MON810 is the only GM plant approved in France for
commercial cultivation. .

Exact data are not available, as the registration of GM cultivation
sites is not mandatory - a consequence of the fear that the fields may
be destroyed by anti-GMO groups. However, concerning the release of
genetically modified organisms into the environment, France has issued a
new regulation which also includes a national site register.

The resolution also declared isolation distances of 50 metres between GM
plants and conventional fields a requirement for the cultivation of
genetically modified plants.

The Bt-maize MON810 incorporates resistance against the corn borer. By
now, 47 different plants are in the EU catalogue of varieties, all of
which are derived from MON810.

[www.gmo-compass.org]