Austria has banned the import of Monsanto’s GM maize MON 863 on health safety grounds.  MON 863 is genetically modified to produce a toxin against the corn borer, an insect that can cause damage to maize. Tests carried out in 2005 on rats fed with MON 863 maize had revealed damage to their liver and kidney. However in January 2006, the EC allowed the maize to be imported into the European market for human and animal consumption. Austria has already banned cultivation of Monsanto’s GE maize MON 810, as have France, Hungary, Italy, Greece and Poland.      

BASF moves to EU Court on GM potato  --

BASF Plant Science has filed an action with the European Court of First Instance in Luxembourg against the EC for failure to act. According to the company, the approval process for the cultivation of Amflora, its GM potato, has been unjustifiably delayed by the EC. The Amflora approval process was initiated 12 years ago when the request for authorization was submitted in August 1996. In 2006, EFSA had also stated that Amflora was as safe for humans, animals and the environment, as any conventional potato.

Malawi now approves biotechnology policy

Malawi has become the latest sub-Saharan African country to approve a National Biotechnology Policy for providing a framework for effective implementation of biotechnology programs and activities. The policy is in response  to a study conducted in Malawi in early 2000  which found that genetic engineering in general and agricultural biotechnology in particular is at a very rudimentary stage in Malawi. The study revealed that Malawi has no biotechnology policy save for the  legislation mentioned above but there is increasing realization of the need to develop a national biotechnology policy.