http://biz.yahoo.com/rf/001124/l2314960.html

Friday November 24, 11:14 am Eastern Time

Germany meets biotech firms on restricting
GM food

BERLIN, Nov 24 (Reuters) - The German government held a second day
of talks with senior biotechnology industry officials on Friday, hoping to
forge an agreement on the planting of genetically modified (GM) crops
until 2003, sources said.

``The aim of these talks is to find a common way forward, which reflects
the people's fears and the needs of industry,''
government sources said at the talks.

German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder has called for a voluntary
suspension of planting so the government can investigate the environmental 
impact amid consumer concerns about GM food.

``Politicians and industry both bear the responsibility of ensuring that
consumers' concerns are heard,'' the sources added.

GM crops contain genes from other organisms to render them resistant to
diseases and herbicides and to increase yields.

The government has said biotech firms could introduce GM plants as part
of a research programme in 2003.

It added that the state would increase funding for research, into the
effects of GM crops, to 50 million marks ($21.54 million) over the next 
three years.

Industry is keen for a deal before the next sowing early in 2001.

The talks under the chairmanship of Chancellery head Frank-Walter
Steinmeier include senior representatives of firms such as Aventis 
CropScience and Kleniwanzlebener Saatzucht AG .

A government spokesman said the talks, which began on Thursday, would
continue next month.