French agricultural researchers said Oct. 30 they wanted to pursue work on genetically modified crop varieties as one possible response to the challenge of feeding a growing world population.
France is one of several European countries to have banned the commercial growing of GM maize. Field tests have continued but have been sabotaged on several occasions by opponents of genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
“I wouldn’t say today that GMOs solve the problem of hunger in the world,” said Marion Guillou, head of French agronomical institute INRA.
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“I would say that certain GMOs today appear to offer where they are used more benefits than risks,” she said, citing the use of GM cotton in China that has alleviated environmental and health damage from pesticide use.
“We want to maintain our competency and therefore continue to be very active in research and when necessary have the possibility to carry out some field tests,” she said.
The French government halted in 2008 commercial planting of Monsanto’s MON 810 maize, the only variety authorized for commercial growing in the European Union, citing concerns over environmental effects.
Agriculture Minister Bruno Le Maire reiterated at an EU farm council this month his country’s cautious line towards GMOs.
“When we believe there is a risk, even minimal for health or the environment we will always be opposed to the GMOs,” he said.
INRA’s Guillou was speaking at the launch of a research group, called Agreenium, bringing together different French institutes to work together on food security issues.
