Monsanto, the huge American biotechnology company which has pioneered GM crops, is withdrawing from many of its European operations and laying off 7 to 9 percent of its global workforce.</p><p><a href="http://news.independent.co.uk/world/environment/story.jsp?story=453822">Independent</a></p><p><a href="http://www.monsanto.com/monsanto/layout/media/03/10-15-03.asp">Monsanto Company Reports Financial Results For Periods Ended Aug. 31, 2003</a>