Greece extended for two more years a ban on genetically modified maize
seed developed by U.S. biotech giant Monsanto.
A decision also expanded the sale-and-cultivation ban from 31 to 51
varieties of the MON810 seed type, Deputy Agriculture Minister Alexandros
Kondos said.

"The ministry strongly opposes the circulation of genetically modified
organisms," Kondos said.

"Our target is to produce quality products, and under no circumstances
do modified products qualify as such."

Despite pressure from the European Union, Greece has implemented and
extended bans on the MON810 strain since April 2005. This month, EU Trade
Commissioner Peter Mandelson warned that member states could invite legal
action against the bloc from the World Trade Organization by adopting
individual bans on biotech food - instead of deciding on common rules.

But Greece insisted its action was well-advised.

"(The new ban) is founded on the same solid scientific and legal
basis, but also includes new scientific data and finds," an Agriculture
Ministry statement said. "These concern a possible threat to human health,
and well as to the beekeeping industry."

It said EU member-states "need to be granted a satisfactory time frame
to assess the dangers from growing genetically modified strains."


[www.forbes.com]