The European Commission is to postpone an approval procedure for genetically-modified maize after a US study found that similar pest-resistant crop varieties, which are genetically modified, could kill butterflies.
In another development in the continuing debate, the British government will today announce a comprehensive review of rules on GM foods and crops after Britain's chief scientific adviser, Sir Robert May, was forced to deny he was at odds with the government over its policy on the commercial release of such crops.
In a letter to the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds dated May 4th, released yesterday, Sir Robert said he shared the organisation's view that he did not see "how ministers could contemplate giving permission for commercial release of the GM crops covered by this research until January 2003 at the earliest".
However, Sir Robert said an interpretation that this meant he favoured a moratorium on commercial development of GM crops was incorrect.
The EC said it was applying the precautionary principle in postponing the approval of the GM maize application. The decision affects a Pioneer Hi-Bred International product. An application for its approval was due to be forwarded to EU ministers after it failed last year to win a majority for clearance among lower-level experts.
This follows research in the latest issue of Nature magazine showing leaves dusted with pollen from the GM maize variety (known as Bt corn) killed Monarch butterflies. The species is used widely to evaluate conservation risk in the US. Bt corn has a gene which comes from the bacterium bacillus thuringiensis and produces Bt toxin which acts as an insecticide. It is spliced into the plant's genes, making it resistant to the European corn-borer pest.
An EC spokesman said two varieties of Bt corn, made by Monsanto and Novartis, were already authorised for sale in the EU market, "but we do not think there is any immediate danger".