BASF abandon their EU research on GM Crops

BASF the German multinational is withdrawing its European research on GM crop production citing “red tape in the EU” as the main reason for doing so. It is relocating its development to the US where consumer and legislative opposition is not so strong. This decision is a major set back for the advocates of GM crop production in Europe.

BASF main rival Bayer is continuing its research in Belgium on cotton and rice but  not for production within the EU. Chairman of BASF Stephan Marcinowski stated that is did not make business sense to continue investing in products exclusively for the market in the EU because resistance is so high on the part of consumers, politicians and farmers.