Required Report - Public distribution

**Date:** 3/30/2007

**GAIN Report Number:** FR7013

FR7013

**France**

**Biotechnology**

**Positive 2006 Results & New Regulatory Framework Improve 2007
Prospects**

**2007**

**Approved by:**

![](media/image1.wmf)M. Melinda Meador

U.S. Embassy

**Prepared by:**

Marie-Cecile Henard

**Report Highlights:**

French corn growers are expected to intensify their production of
biotech corn in from 5,200 hectares in 2006 to 30,000-50,000 ha in 2007.
This results from the positive technical results they obtained in 2006,
with significantly higher yields and lower mycotoxin content than
conventional corn. They will also benefit from the recent tranposition
by France of the EU Directive 2001/18 on biotech authorization and
published new coexistence rules.

Includes PSD Changes: No

Includes Trade Matrix: No

Unscheduled Report

paris

\[FR\]

Table of Contents

[Summary 2](#summary-1)

[2006 Technical Results 2](#technical-results)

[2007 Perspectives 2](#perspectives)

[Regulatory Framework Clarified 3](#regulatory-framework-clarified)

[Threats 2](#threats)

[Production Plans 3](#production-plans)

# Summary {#summary-1}

The French Corn Growers Association (AGPM) recently announced positive
production results from MON-810 Bt corn grown in 2006 on 5,200 ha. The
corn had higher yields with less stalk lodging and higher sanitary
quality than its conventional analog. (MON-810 variety is genetically
modified to resist damage from corn borer and sesamia infestations)

These encouraging results, as well as the recent French regulation on
biotech production and coexistence, are expected to trigger French
commercial production of biotech corn in 2007. Expert analysis ranges
from 30,000 to 50,000 ha of biotech corn in 2007.

# 2006 Technical Results

[Yields]{.underline}

AGPM monitored 13 biotech corn fields in various regions of France and
found that average yields were 9 percent higher than conventional corn
yields grown under similar conditions. In regions where the corn borer
infestation was highest, the incremental yield provided by the Bt
technology rose almost 12 percent.

[Sanitary Quality]{.underline}

The sanitary quality of the 2006 biotech corn crop, in terms of
mycotoxin content, improved as well: when compared to levels found in
conventional corn, the fumosinin content in biotech corn was 45 percent
(in the lowest infestation areas) and 58 percent (in the highest
infestation areas) lower. Insect infestation provides an avenue for
fungal contamination so protection against pests also lowers the
potential development of these toxins. This is of great importance given
the new EU regulation setting maximum mycotoxin levels due to risks to
human health.

# 2007 Perspectives

## Threats

On March 13, the anti-biotech lobby CRII-GEN organized a press
conference to present the findings of a Greenpeace funded study which
concluded that MON863 was not safe for consumption due to its toxicity
on kidneys and liver. The study reinterpreted the toxicological survey
conducted by Monsanto on MON863. The French competent authority for
biotech approval (Biomolecular Engineering Committee, or "Commission du
Génie Biomoléculaire" in French, or CGB) reviewed the same data and
approved the product. The CRII-GEN findings received wide press coverage
in France.

## Regulatory Framework Clarified

Research:

On March 19, the French Ministry of Agriculture authorized 13 biotech
open field trials (12 corn products and 1 tobacco) for 2007 and rejected
one request for a potato trial. For more information on the dossiers
approved, see:
<http://www.ogm.gouv.fr/experimentations/decisions/decisions.htm>

Commercial Production:

On March 20, France transposed EU Directive 2001/18 (EU framework on the
release of biotech products for both experimentation and
commercialization) into French law through publication in the French
Official Journal (Federal Register equivalent).[^1]

Also on March 20^th^, the French Ministry of Agriculture (MinAg) created
a public register where [the number and acreage]{.underline} of biotech
plots, by district, will be made publicly available. This list will be
available on the inter-ministerial website of the GOF on biotech at:
[http://www.ogm.gouv.fr](http://www.ogm.gouv.fr/). In addition, the
MinAg adopted coexistence measures for this crop year which require
50-meter buffer zones for commercial biotech plots (monitored by
Governmental authorities), and disclosure by biotech producers to their
neighbors of the existence of their biotech crops.

## Production Plans

French corn growers welcomed the publication of governmental coexistence
measures as standardizing practices that they implemented in 2004
ensuring good practices for coexistence and traceability of biotech and
non-biotech corn.

Because of the positive technical results they encountered in 2006,
strengthened by the new regulatory framework set by the French
Government, and despite the political pressure they are currently
facing, French corn growers plan to grow 30,000 to 50,000 hectares of
biotech corn.

[^1]: These are decrees
    [2007-357](http://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/WAspad/UnTexteDeJorf?numjo=MENR0700622D),
    [2007-358](http://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/WAspad/UnTexteDeJorf?numjo=AGRG0700644D)
    and
    [2007-359](http://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/WAspad/UnTexteDeJorf?numjo=AGRG0700643D),
    supplemented by two supplementary documents (called "arrêtés" in
    French) relative to voluntary dissemination in the environment and
    the commercialization of biotech products and to information
    gathering on biotech crops cultivation.