Germany May Ban Monsanto Corn, Minister Tells Berliner Zeitung
Rainer Buergin in Berlin
Bloomberg, Feb 18 2009
http://tiny.cc/fTsb9

Chancellor Angela Merkel's government may revoke a license for the cultivation of Monsanto Co.'s genetically modified corn because neither consumers nor farmers want it, Agriculture Minister Ilse Aignertold the Berliner Zeitung.

Genetic engineering "has so far not yielded tangible benefits for the people," the newspaper quoted Aigner as saying. Germany has granted a license for the cultivation of MON810 while France and Italy haven't yet, due to environmental concerns, the newspaper said.

Aigner wants to allow Germany's 16 states and regions within the states to ban cultivation of genetically modified crops, a view that may clash with European Union law, the newspaper said.