1.EU upholds Austria, Hungary right to ban GM crops
2.Council backs Austrian and Hungarian bans on GM crops

NOTE: This was overwhelming. Only four of the 27 European Union nations -- Britain, Finland, the Netherlands and Sweden -- supported the EU executive's bid to force the two member states to lift their GM ban.
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1.EU upholds Austria, Hungary right to ban GM crops
Reuters, March 2
http://uk.reuters.com/article/governmentFilingsNews/idUKBRU00731420090302

BRUSSELS - EU environment ministers gave a stinging rebuff to the European Commission on Monday and upheld the sovereign right of Austria and Hungary to ban growing of genetically modified (GM) maize, the EU presidency said.

The Commission, the EU's executive arm, had wanted the ministers to order both countries to lift the bans within 20 days. EU law provides for national GMO bans under certain circumstances if the government can justify the prohibition. It was the third time the Commission had tried to get Austria's bans lifted and the second for Hungary. All the attempts have been rejected by ministers in the past.

Hungary's ban relates to MON 810 maize, developed and marketed by U.S. biotech company Monsanto (MON.N) and the only GM crop that may be commercially grown in the EU. Austria has also banned cultivation of MON 810 maize, as well as that of T25 maize, made by German drugs and chemicals group Bayer (BAYG.DE). (Reporting by Pete Harrison, writing by Jeremy Smith)
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2.Council backs Austrian and Hungarian bans on GM crops
Greenpeace, 2 March 2009

Brussels - EU environment ministers have overwhelmingly rejected a European Commission proposal to force member states to accept the cultivation of genetically modified (GM) crops on their territories. Over twenty member states voted against the Commission proposal. Hungary can maintain its ban on Monsanto's GM maize MON810, and Austria on MON810 and Bayer's T25.

"This is a victory for the environment, farmers and consumers, and a major embarrassment for the Commission. For the fourth time, EU governments have rejected a Commission proposal to lift national bans on GM crops. What part of 'no' does the Commission not understand?" said Marco Contiero, Greenpeace EU GMO policy director.

Austrian and Hungarian scientific authorities have recently supplied new evidence supporting their national bans showing that MON810 maize - the only GMO currently cultivated in the EU - is likely to have harmful environmental effects.

"The protection of the environment and public health should always come before the financial interests of a handful of agro-chemical companies," said Contiero.

*Contacts:*
*Marco Contiero* ˆ Greenpeace EU GMO policy director: +32 (0)2 274 1906,
+32 (0)477 777 034 (mobile), This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
*Mark Breddy* ˆ Greenpeace EU communications manager: +32 (0)2 274 1903,
+32 (0)496 156 229 (mobile), This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.