Russia Halts Imports of Monsanto Corn Over 'Cancer' Concerns

By CnAgri2012-09-27 19:49:45 Print

Russian authorities temporary suspended the import and sale of Monsanto's genetically-modified corn after a French study suggested it may be linked to cancer.

The Russian consumer-rights regulator Rospotrebnadzor asked scientists at the country's Institute of Nutrition to review the study. The watchdog has also contacted to European Commission's Directorate General for Health & Consumers to explain the EU's position on GM corn.

The report prepared by France's University of Caen and published last week, claimed that rats fed over a two-year period with Monsanto's genetically modified NK603 corn, developed more tumors and other pathologies than a test group fed with regular corn. The NK603, sold under the Roundup label, is genetically engineered to withstand glyphosate weed killer.

The company criticized the study, saying it 'doesn't meet minimum acceptable standards for this type of scientific research' and the data was incomplete.

Monsanto also said Russia's ban will have little effect on its business as the country import small volumes of corn from the U.S. Besides that, the Russian government doesn't permit farmers to plant GM crops.

Meanwhile, France announced it will uphold the ban on genetically modified crops in the country. It has asked the national food-security agency Anses to examine the study of Monsanto's corn. If other countries follow the examples of Russia and France it could be a severe blow to the major U.S. biotech.