16.07.2003 |

Italian region orders destrcution of GMO contaminated maize fields

Italy`s Piedmont region on Friday ordered the destruction of 381 hectares of maize fields contaminated with genetically modified seeds (Bt maize Mon 810 of Monsanto). The first fields were destroyed on Monday and Italy`s largest farmer organisation Coldiretti as well as Italian farm minister Alemanno welcomed the decision. However Monsanto and Pioneer Hi-Bred (DuPont) called the farmers and offered financial and legal support against the destruction and announced they would take the decision to court. Meanwhile a criminal investigation against the head of Pioneer Italy started. CIA another farmers organisation asked their members not to oppose the destruction.</p><p><a href="http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L11478528.htm">Reuters AlertNet - Italian region orders GMO maize fields destroyed</a></p><p><a href="http://www.iii.co.uk/shares/?type=news&articleid=4696158&action=article">Monsanto, Pioneer urge Italian farmers to fight GM crop cull</a></p><p><a href="http://www.forbes.com/technology/newswire/2003/07/15/rtr1025347.html">Pioneer contests Italy order to destroy gene maize</a></p><p><a href="http://www.agi.it/english/news.pl?doc=200307121635-0086-RT1-POL-0-NF82,NF30&page=0&id=agionline-eng.italyonline">Minister supports Piedmont decision</a></p><p><a href="http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/afp/20030715/hl_afp/italy_biotech_maize_030715184100">Monsanto Italy chief defends GMOs found in crops as "accidental"</a></p><p><a href="http://reuters.com/financeNewsArticle.jhtml?type=governmentFilingsNews&storyID=3106529">UPDATE 17.7.03: Court rejects Pioneers bid to prevent GM maize destruction</a>