Monsanto Co.'s French unit said Thursday that it had complained to French authorities after two of its genetically modified maize experiments were destroyed this week by unidentified vandals.

The destruction, in the towns of Montech and Leojac in France, occurred Wednesday night into Thursday morning, according to a release. A media report indicated that the company had not received any claims of responsibility.

According to the media report, Monsanto France issued a statement strongly condemning such acts and saying it "regrets that the opponents to biotech crops assume, regardless of the law, the right to decide that a scientific application is non-pertinent."

These were the first attacks in France this year on the firm's genetically modified crops. Monsanto previously has said half of its genetically modified experiments in France are destroyed each year, according to the report.

Monsanto Co. (NYSE: MON) develops insect- and herbicide-resistant crops and other agricultural products.