MON 810

Mon810 is a variety of genetically modified corn developed by Monsanto Corporation, marketed under the name YieldGard. It contains a gene from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis that expresses Bt toxin with toxic effects on insects of the order Lepidoptera.

It is permitted for use in the EU in 1998 but several countries – Austria, Bulgaria, France, Greece, Hungary, Germany, Greece, Luxembourg – prohibit cultivation due to concerns about environmental pollution.

Germany banned Mon810 in April 2009.

After the ban in France, the European Court of Justice in 2011 and the French Conseil d’Etat settled that the prohibition with the French Minister of Agriculture was illegal. Nevertheless, in March 2012 the French Minister again banned Mon810, at least temporarily.

In April 2012, Poland announced that it will completely ban the cultivation Mon810 on its territory because the pollen of this variety could have a detrimental effect on bees.

MON810 is allowed to cultivate in the following countries: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, the European Union countries (except Austria, Bulgaria, France, Greece, Hungary, Germany, Greece and Luxembourg), Japan, Korea, Mexico, Philippines, South Africa, Switzerland, South Korea, Taiwan, United States, Uruguay.

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