France's president vows to continue moratorium on GM corn, despite court's ruling to overturn ban

(http://gmwatch.org) President Francois Hollande confirmed on Friday that France would continue its moratorium on the cultivation of Monsanto's GM maize MON810. This announcement contradicts the Council of State's decision on Thursday to annul France's ban on the GM crop. The Council of State ruled that France's ban on MON810 is illegal under EU law.

"There will be an extension of the moratorium," said the head of state, during a visit to the Dordogne, adding that it was necessary, however to "legally secure this decision at the national level and especially at the European level."

"Why did we impose the moratorium on GMOs? Not because we do not want progress, but in the name of progress. We cannot accept a maize product that may have adverse effects on other production," Hollande continued, speaking from a farm in the region of Sarlat.

After the announcement of the ruling of non-compliance with EU law, the Ministers of Agriculture and Ecology, Stephane Le Foll and Philippe Martin had, however, noted "the government's commitment to maintain the moratorium on the cultivation of GMO seeds."