"Monsanto GM Cotton Fails To Win EU Backing"


REUTERS
Brussels, Belgium
February 12, 1999 

BRUSSELS,  Belgium  (Reuters)  -  Two  varieties  of  genetically
modified  cotton marketed by U.S.  biotechnology firm Monsanto Co
(NYSE:MCT - news) have failed to win enough support from European
Union governments to be approved for sale in  the  bloc,  the  EU
said Friday.  

The EU's executive Commission also said that the Netherlands,  on
behalf of Dutch company Avebe,  had retracted  a  request  for  a
genetically  modified  potato  variety to be approved for sale on
the 15-nation EU market.  

The developments come at a time of  intense  debate  in  many  EU
countries about the safety of genetically modified food.  

Although  the  Monsanto  cotton  varieties did not receive enough
backing in a regulatory committee, the European Commission said a
final decision on whether to approve them for the EU market  must
still be taken by environment ministers.  

Monsanto  is  seeking  approval  to  commercially  grow  and sell
genetically modified cotton seeds  in  the  EU,  particularly  in
Spain  and  Greece.   Its request was submitted to the EU through
Spain in 1996.  

An EU scientific committee concluded last year that there was  no
evidence  that the cotton lines would be harmful to humans or the
environment.  

Commission spokesman Peter Jorgensen said that Thursday  midnight
was  the  deadline  for  the  15 EU member governments to send in
their responses on whether they favored the release.  

Tom McDermott, a spokesman for Monsanto Europe,  said the company
was  disappointed  with  the  decision.  ``There is no scientific
evidence that would justify  this,  in  our  opinion,''  he  told
Reuters.  

He  said  one  of the cotton varieties concerned,  Bollgard,  was
insect-protected  and  could   reduce   the   use   of   chemical
insecticides   by  up  to  50  percent.   The  other  variety  is
herbicide-resistant.  

"These two products are  bringing  well  documented  benefits  to
growers, as well as the environment, around the world," McDermott
said, adding that both varieties were used in the United States.  

Jorgensen  also  said  that  the Dutch authorities,  on behalf of
Avebe, had retracted a proposal to have the company's genetically
modified potato released on the EU market.  

The EU's Scientific Committee on Plants said  last  October  that
not enough study of possible risks had been carried out.  

**  NOTICE: In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C.  Section 107, this
material is distributed for  research  and  educational  purposes
only.  **