Company to hold back genetic foods

NOVEMBER 28, 2000

The Monsanto Co. on Monday said it would slow down the expansion of its genetically-modified product line due to recent debate on the issue.

A genetically-modified corn the company produces will still be distributed to farmers in the United States next year, however, just on a lower scale. The company doesn't want to risk the chance of having it exported to Europe, where it doesn't yet have approval. It is approved in Japan.

Another variety won't be introduced on the market until the year 2002. The product doesn't have approval either in Japan or Europe.

The Environmental Protection Agency is holding a public meeting today on the product which caused the debate in the first place. The company which produces StarLink is asking the government to approve the corn product for human use temporarily.

For more information about the meeting, visit the EPA's Office of Pesticide Programs at www.epa.gov/pesticides/biopesticides.

Get the Story:
Biotech questions lead Monsanto to delay one crop, restrict another (AP 11/27)

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Relevant Links:
StarLink -www.us.cropscience.aventis.com/AventisUS/
CropScience/stage/html/starlinkcorn.htm
Aventis CropScience - www2.aventis.com/cropsc/cro_main.htm
Bioengineered foods, The FDA - www.fda.gov/oc/biotech/default.htm