15.05.2007 | permalink
Continued resistance over sales of genetically modified (GM) rice in the US and its non-acceptance in the European Union (EU) have threatened the success of the transgenic hybrid seeds in the agriculture sector, according to a Rabobank report published on Thursday. India, the world’s second largest rice producer after China with a capacity of 91 million tonnes (MT) is also facing resistance over the use of GM seeds. [...] Burdened with strict regulations, the EU has banned imports of US rice. Until the discovery of the GM variety LL 601, the EU had purchased about 250,000 tonnes (milled-equivalent basis) of rice annually from the US. While sales of milled rice to other markets may increase, these sales will not cover the gap left by the loss of a major share of the EU market, the report said.