Bayer Cropscience is giving up attempts to commercialise GM maize - the only transgenic plant to have approval for widespread cultivation.
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Beckett is blamed as Bayer bins GM plan
By John Mason, Food and Rural Affairs Correspondent
Published: March 30 2004 21:55 | Last Updated: March 30 2004 21:55
Bayer Cropscience is giving up attempts to commercialise GM maize - the only transgenic plant to have approval for widespread cultivation.
The German biotechnology company will on Wednesday announce its maize variety Chardon LL had been left "economically non-viable" because of conditions Margaret Beckett, environment secretary, imposed when she gave it limited approval this month.
Chardon LL was developed for approval in 1999 but, as the controversy over genetically modified crops slowed its introduction, it lost its edge against rival varieties.
Bayer warned that the UK's tough GM regulatory regime could jeopardise the adoption of the technology. It said: "New regulations should enable GM crops to be grown in the UK - not disable future attempts to grow them".
The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, said: "We do not apologise for the fact there is a tough EU-wide regulatory regime on GMs."
Bayer's decision to withdraw the crop from the UK and other European markets means GM crops are unlikely to be grown in the UK until 2008, when GM oil seed rape may be approved for cultivation.
Chardon LL gained approval after trials showed it caused less damage to wildlife than conventional varieties, but ministers have yet to decide rules for mixing GM and non-GM crops and compensation for contamination by GM pollen.
Bayer said: "These uncertainties and undefined timelines will make this five-year old variety economically unviable".
Bayer insisted it was committed to GM crops in the UK and the rest of Europe. It is trying to improve farming practices for GM oil seed rape to make it less environmentally damaging.
Monsanto, its US rival, is making similar efforts to overcome the environmental handicaps of sugar beet.
Beckett is blamed as Bayer bins GM plan
By John Mason, Food and Rural Affairs Correspondent
Published: March 30 2004 21:55 | Last Updated: March 30 2004 21:55
Bayer Cropscience is giving up attempts to commercialise GM maize - the only transgenic plant to have approval for widespread cultivation.
The German biotechnology company will on Wednesday announce its maize variety Chardon LL had been left "economically non-viable" because of conditions Margaret Beckett, environment secretary, imposed when she gave it limited approval this month.
Chardon LL was developed for approval in 1999 but, as the controversy over genetically modified crops slowed its introduction, it lost its edge against rival varieties.
Bayer warned that the UK's tough GM regulatory regime could jeopardise the adoption of the technology. It said: "New regulations should enable GM crops to be grown in the UK - not disable future attempts to grow them".
The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, said: "We do not apologise for the fact there is a tough EU-wide regulatory regime on GMs."
Bayer's decision to withdraw the crop from the UK and other European markets means GM crops are unlikely to be grown in the UK until 2008, when GM oil seed rape may be approved for cultivation.
Chardon LL gained approval after trials showed it caused less damage to wildlife than conventional varieties, but ministers have yet to decide rules for mixing GM and non-GM crops and compensation for contamination by GM pollen.
Bayer said: "These uncertainties and undefined timelines will make this five-year old variety economically unviable".
Bayer insisted it was committed to GM crops in the UK and the rest of Europe. It is trying to improve farming practices for GM oil seed rape to make it less environmentally damaging.
Monsanto, its US rival, is making similar efforts to overcome the environmental handicaps of sugar beet.
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More on chardon LL
30.03.2004 22:28
Wednesday, March 31, 2004
Following the announcement of the UK Government’s position on GM Food and Crops on 9th March 2004
Bayer CropScience discontinues further efforts to commercialise GM forage maize in the UK
Monheim (Germany), Hauxton (UK) – Bayer CropScience has decided to discontinue further efforts to commercialise its GM forage maize variety, Chardon LL, in the UK.
The UK Government in its recent policy announcement on GM Food and Crops, indicated that it agreed in principle to the commercial cultivation of this GM forage maize variety and thereby confirmed that this GM product is both safe and effective. Bayer CropScience recognised this announcement as a positive step towards the development of plant biotechnologies in the UK.
The Government has however placed a number of constraints on this conditional approval before the commercial cultivation of GM forage maize can proceed in the UK. The specific details of these conditions are still not available and thus will result in yet another 'open-ended' period of delay. These uncertainties and undefined timelines will make this five-year old variety economically non-viable.
Bayer CropScience remains highly committed to the further development of plant biotechnologies in the UK. “We hope that the UK will be able to benefit from the opportunity afforded by this technology some time in the future. We would like to thank all UK farmers and stakeholders who have supported our efforts to make progress on this project”, said Dr Julian Little, a Bayer CropScience spokesperson.
Bayer CropScience, a subsidiary of Bayer AG with annual sales of about EUR 5.8 billion (2003), is one of the world’s leading innovative crop science companies in the areas of crop protection, non-agricultural pest control, seeds and plant biotechnology. The company offers an outstanding range of products and extensive service backup for modern, sustainable agriculture and for non-agricultural applications. Bayer CropScience has a global workforce of about 19,000 and is represented in more than 120 countries, ensuring proximity to dealers and consumers.
Monheim, Hauxton, March 31, 2004
Contacts:
Julian Little, Bayer CropScience, UK
Tel: +44 1223 252557
Fax: +44 1223 252426
e-mail:
Lutz Knabe, Bayer CropScience SA
Tel: +33 4 72 85 4468
e-mail:
Norbert Lemken, Bayer CropScience AG
Tel.: +49 2173 38-3125
E-Mail:
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