SURPRISE! FRENCH FARMERS ARE GROWING BIOTECH CORN

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 PARIS 006478

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EB/TPP AND EUR/WE

STATE PASS USTR

UDSA/FAS for BIG/SIMMONS/RICHEY/JONES and ITP/WOOLSEY

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD EAGR ECON BEXP FR
SUBJECT: SURPRISE! FRENCH FARMERS ARE GROWING BIOTECH CORN


NOT FOR INTERNET DISTRIBUTION


1. (U) Summary. This month, the French press revealed - to
the surprise of many - that 500 to 1,000 hectares
(approximately 1,000 to 2,200 acres) of genetically modified
corn was being grown in Southwestern France. The GOF
confirmed that French farmers had voluntarily declared 500
hectares of GM corn. Separately, another group of anti-GMO
activists were arrested and sentenced on 15 September; six
anti-GMO activists were tried for their destruction of an
experimental plot of biotech corn belonging to French seed
company Biogemma. END SUMMARY.


2. (U) Pressed by the media, the French Ministry of
Agriculture revealed on September 6 that French farmers are
currently growing 500 hectares of biotech corn (1,250
acres.) in Southwestern France. This number represents a
significant jump from 2004 when France had not planted more
than 18 hectares of biotech corn. The last year of
significant biotech corn production in France was 1998,
where 1,500 ha were planted. However, despite the
significant increase in biotech corn acreage in 2005, it
remains miniscule relative to the total area covered by corn
in France (1.67 million ha). As France is late in
transposing EU Directive 2001/18 (regulating the
dissemination of GM crops) into French law, producers are
actually not obliged to declare the existence of these
crops. French corporations such as Biogemma (agricultural
biotechnology) and Meristem Therapeutics (medical
biotechnology) have been growing biotech corn at
experimental test-plots throughout the country. Currently,
corn is the only authorized GMO crop in Europe and Spain is
the only EU country to cultivate it in significant
quantities.


3. (U) At the same time as the revelation on corn was made,
six anti-GMO activists were brought before a judge on
September 14 and 15 to be charged with the destruction of
experimental plots. The judge allowed the activists to
explain their personal reasons for what they allege is civil
disobedience. They cited motivations reasons such as
"battling for humanity" and wanting to keep GMOs out of
animal feed. The plaintiffs in the case have demanded six
million euros in damages and requested four months of prison
time for the ringleader, Christian Roquierol and parole for
the others. Final sentencing is scheduled for November 24.


4. (U) In fact, the French Agriculture Ministry had
specified that in 2005, cultivation of authorized GMOs was
legal and could actually be produced without further
notification to the GOF. Agriculture Minister Dominique
Bussereau has recognized a problem of GMO commercial usage
in France and has confirmed that a proposal will be
presented this fall to transpose the European Directive into
national law and establish a clearer position on this issue.
The future French biotech law, which has been delayed for a
year, is expected to also include provisions on biotech and
non-biotech coexistence and to establish a new French
evaluation committee to authorize GM products.


5. (U) In the OP-ED pages of the Le Figaro on September 6,
a French scientist suggested that for France, a country that
defines its national identity through food, opposition to
GMO's is a way to resist "liberal" globalization. But he
maintains that this growing global industry, (44 millions
acres of GMO crops were harvested last year, up 20% from the
year before),France must learn to incorporate GMO
cultivation into its agriculture (thus following the example
of Spain) in order to remain Europe's agricultural
powerhouse.

COMMENT: POSITIVE DEVELOPMENTS?


6. (U) The revelation that French farmers were secretly
growing biotech corn made the front page of France's leading
newspaper, Le Figaro. Meanwhile, the almost-routine arrest
and indictment of biotech test plot vandals was reported
inside. It would be hard to draw any grand conclusions from
the importance the press accorded these events. But it is
clear that perceptions of the issue are moving in a
favorable direction. Scientists and potential beneficiaries
of important medicines that are being tested by biotech
companies now publicly support stronger sentences against
activist vandalism. The GOF has always privately been aware
of the benefits of biotechnology. The development of GM corn
production in France is likely to push the GOF to finally
adopt new biotech legislation. Perhaps as the pro-biotech
view makes (small) inroads in France, the politicians might
have more courage to stand up and be counted on this issue.