Aventis asks EPA to cancel StarLink corn registration

WASHINGTON, Jan 18 (Reuters) - Aventis SA (NYSE:AVE - news)
requested that U.S. regulators cancel its registration for producing
StarLink, after the gene-spliced corn variety was found in numerous 
food products, setting off hundreds of recalls, the Environmental 
Protection Agency said on Thursday.

The EPA approved StarLink bio-corn for commercial use in May 1998, but
restricted its production to animal feed and non-food industries because 
of concerns it might cause allergic reactions if consumed by humans.

Traces of the corn variety were found in taco shells, cornmeal and other
foods in September, triggering a broad recall by U.S. foodmakers.

The EPA said the cancellation of StarLink's registration would become
effective on Feb. 20.

For existing stocks of StarLink, Aventis has launched a buy-back program
to retrieve as much StarLink corn as possible for farmers and segregate 
it for animal feed or ethanol production. The company said it has collected 
all of last year's crop except about 75,000 bushels.