May 24, 1999

Greenpeace says all genetically modified corn should be banned in the European Union. An EU official has said new approvals would be suspended in the aftermath of reports that the monarch butterfly could be jeopardized by Bt corn but added there was no need to withdraw approvals already issued on corn varieties.

"As the European Commission finally admits that the insect killing Bt-maize potentially poses a threat to the environment, their first step should be to stop the already approved transgenic maize varieties which are presently planted within the EU," said Greenpeace official Charles Margulis. 'It is hard to understand how the commission can put the approval of one Bt maize on hold...but on the other side claim that there was no need to act on those varieties which already are on the market and planted in Germany and Spain."