The ruling does not affect imports of genetically altered products for use in food and fodder. It cited health and environmental concerns. The decision can be appealed within 30 days. It rejected the other tests out of concern the genetically modified potatoes contained genes which could make some bacteria resistant to certain antibiotics. We are setting extremely high standards from the start.
Swiss agriculture lives on our products' reputation for being pure and close to nature.
Such gene technology experiments affect this image. T25 is made by a joint venture of Germany's Hoechst AG and Schering. Officials at the companies were unavailable for comment. Although the Swiss are supportive of biotechnological research and development generally, it does not follow that release of genetically engineered food crops into the environment can be assumed. Clearly, officials in the Swiss Federal Environment Office are going to move very cautiously.