The federal court stepped in to ban the genetically modified alfalfa produced by Monsanto Co., pending a thorough review of the crop’s impact on the environment.

The ruling by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Wednesday leaves Creve Coeur-based Monsanto with two options. It can appeal the case to the U.S. Supreme Court or hope for regulatory approval after the Agriculture Department completes a comprehensive environmental review. (stltoday.com)

Environmental groups and alfalfa-seed farmers sued the government in 2007 over its decision to release GM alfalfa without reviewing how the crop can potentially affect the environment. According to this news, the case marks the “first time a thorough environmental review has been required for regulatory approval of a genetically modified crop”.

And I am surprised that there wasn’t a thorough review in the first place, before Monsanto even invested acres of land on planting GM alfalfa. Isn’t it breeding 101 to test the impact of introduced crops or animals? I mean, the US Customs is so strict about bringing live plants, fruits and animals on board planes from overseas, and yet the Department of Agriculture did not have measures in place to test for this new technology.

Image: sxc

Proponents of genetically-modified food are fighting an uphill battle in the European Union.

Image: sxc.hu

Germany has banned a strain of genetically modified corn in the country, citing dangers to the environment as the primary reason. Last month, Luxembourg joined Hungary, France, Austria and Greece in banning Monsanto’s corn strain MON810, even though it is the only strain approved by the European Food Safety Authority.

Germany has been using MON810, also known as YieldGuard Corn Borer, for the past five years. But the Agricultural Minister now admits there is reason to believe that MON810 “represents a danger for the environment”.

The European Council meets next week and today, Luxembourg announced to vote down a proposal allowing GM rice (Bayer’s LL62) from being made available for sale in the EU.

Will the EU end up banning genetically modified crops?

Image: sxc.hu/shiyali

Genetically modified corn was found to lower the fertility and body weight in mice, reports an study (translated in English) commissioned by the Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety. 

Austrian scientist found that mice who were fed for over 20 weeks with GM corn developed by Monsanto decreased their liter size around the third-fourth generation compared to the control group.

The Institute for Responsible Technology immediately issued a "moratorium" on the distribution of GM food products until their "safety are undeniably established". Monsanto responded to the news and statements made by Greenpeace about their products, and I quote:

The Greenpeace press statement is inconsistent with over a decade of reputable, peer-reviewed, scientific studies, including multi-generational studies, which demonstrate and confirm the safety of GM crops.

“These products have been proven to be safe. This report does not provide any basis to conclude otherwise,” said Jerry Hjelle, Ph.D., Vice President of Monsanto’s regulatory group.