May 24, 2000 / Reuters / Paule Bonjean
PARIS -- A government source was cited as telling Reuters today that the French government will decide by the end of the week whether to order the destruction of 600 hectares of genetically modified (GM) rapeseed accidentally planted by local farmers, adding, "The government should define a clear position by the end of the week."
A second government source, the story reports, was cited as saying France was considering earmarking the contaminated rapeseed for the production of the biodegradable fuel diester, adding, "The two most solid hypotheses are the fabrication of diester or the total destruction of the plots," he said, adding that it was unlikely the government would allow the affected rapeseed to be refined into oil for human consumption. If the government orders the destruction, it is to avoid this kind of thing happening again."
(posted without permission)
