http://www.forbes.com/home_europe/newswire/2003/12/18/rtr1186107.html

Bayer pulls GM seed applications in UK

Reuters, 18 December 2003, 12:26 PM ET

LONDON, Dec 18 (Reuters) - Bayer CropScience, the UK arm of German drugs and
chemicals giant Bayer, has withdrawn six applications for approval of
genetically modified (GMO) seed varieties from the UK's National Seed List,
a spokesman for the company said on Thursday.

Securing a place on the National Seed List is a vital step for firms seeking
to sell GM seeds commercially in the UK.

Once on the list, the seed varieties undergo extensive trials around the
country to determine their viability.

"Under EU rules, seed varieties, whether GM (nyse: GM - news - people) or
non-GM are only approved if they offer additional benefits to those that are
already on the market," Bayer spokesman Julian Little told Reuters.

"Because some of these varieties fall short of what is available, we have
decided to withdraw those particular applications," Little added.

The company said the applications were for three seed varieties of winter
rapeseed, two seed types of spring rapeseed and one seed application for
fodder maize.

Bayer CropScience said it still had applications for up to four other
applications for GM rapeseed varieties were still being considered for
National Seed List approval.

Earlier this year, Bayer 's UK unit said it was discontinuing all field
trials of GM crops because if feared that the plants would be destroyed by
activists after the government told the firm all trial sites had to be made
public.

No GM crops are currently grown on a commercial basis in Britain, but the
government is under pressure to decide on their future and plans to make an
announcement in the New Year.

Copyright 2003, Reuters News Service