Syngenta gets GA21 maize approval

Syngenta welcomed Friday's EU authorisation extension of the group's GA21 genetically-modified maize and said the the approval could help boost sales, a spokesman said.

'We welcome today's decision. While we are unable to give specific sales figures, today's authorisation will make import easier and my thus contribute to better sales,' the spokesman said Friday.

The sale of GA21 in processed form had already been authorised in the Europe Union. The commission said Friday's decision extends the authorisation of products derived from GA21 to maize grains and thus allows imports from third countries where this GMO is cultivated. GA21 is not approved for cultivation in the EU.

Meanwhile Romania has said it will join six other member states in banning the only EU-approved genetically modified (GM) crop.

Romanian environment minister Attila Korodi has called for a halt on planting MON810, a corn produced by US biotech company Monsanto, saying that the country's biosecurity committee would look at possibly implementing a ban on 15 April.