GE cultivation bans in Europe

Austria: Ban on cultivation of Monsanto’s maize MON 810, MON  863 and T25

Notified in June 1999, initially under Article 16 of Directive 90/220/EEC, and subsequently maintained in February 2004 under Article 23 of Directive 2001/18/EC;

France: Ban on cultivation of Monsanto’s maize MON 810.

Notified in February  2008, under Article 23 of Directive 2001/18/EC; and under EU Regulation 1829/2003

Germany: in April 2009 the agriculture Minister, Ms. Aigner, announced a ban on cultivation and sale of MON 810

Greece: Ban on cultivation of Monsanto’s maize MON 810. 

Application lodged in April 2005 under Article 18 of Directive 2002/53/EC, and subsequently in January 2006 extended/maintained the measure under Article 23 of Directive 2001/18/EC;

Hungary: Ban on cultivation of Monsanto’s maize MON 810.

Notified in September 2006, under Article 23 of Directive   2001/18/EC;

Italy: General ban on the cultivation of all genetically engineered (GE) crops. 

Notified by ministerial circular in March 2006. This ban will stay in place until the Italian regions have regulated the “coexistence” between GE, conventional and organic crops.

Luxembourg : Ban on cultivation of Monsanto’s maize MON 810.

Notified in March 2009, under Directive 2001/18/EC

Poland: Ban on cultivation of Monsanto’s maize MON 810. 

Application lodged in March 2005 under Article 16 of Directive 2002/53/EC ( The EU’s Seeds Directive). The ban under the Seeds Directive affects 16 out of 31 MON 810 varieties. However, in May 2006 the Polish government complemented the ban with a general prohibition –based on national law- to sell any GE seeds in Poland.

Romania: Ban on cultivation of MON 810 maize announced by Environment minister Korodi on 27 March 2008. 

The Romanian government has indicated that it intends to install the ban on the same legal grounds as France:  under Article 23 of Directive 2001/18/EC; and under EU Regulation 1829/2003. Enactment of the ban is expected in April 2008.

Switzerland: In 2005, the Swiss voted by referdendum a 5-year moratorium against the commercial cultivation of GM crops and animals. The Suiss government decided to extend this moratorium till 2013.