Are companies like Monsanto banned outside the U.S.?

Expert response from Chelsey Robinson

Former Global Preparedness Content Manager, Monsanto Company

Tuesday, 25/11/2014 13:06

There is quite a bit of confusion regarding Monsanto or GMOs being “banned” outside of the United States. Monsanto is not banned in other countries. We collaborate with other businesses and farmers in locations and facilities in countries around the world. Our locations include various administrative and sales offices, manufacturing plants, seed production facilities, research centers and learning centers, all of which are part of our focus on agriculture and supporting farmers.

 

Some of this confusion might come from the EU’s polarized public opinion surrounding GMOs and the EU approval process. While the EU has approved just two GMO crops for cultivation (a corn variety resistant to the European corn borer and a potato with modified starch composition, which is desired for things such as papermaking), it does have over 47 GM (cited from EuropaBio.org, as of April 2012) products that are approved for food and feed usage. 

 

Many other countries around the world, including Japan, China, Brazil, Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United States, have approved GMOs, and a total of 74 countries authorize GM products for cultivation (growing), food import for people, feed import for animals and/or trials and testing. You can find a map of where biotech crops are being grown, imported and tested here.

 

If you would like to learn more about GM crops in other countries, you can read the answers in the links below: 

• http://gmoanswers.com/ask/why-are-gmos-banned-so-many-countries
• http://gmoanswers.com/ask/why-are-gmo-foods-banned-so-many-countries-china-and-russia-and-whole-continent-europe-if-they
• http://gmoanswers.com/ask/why-has-france-banned-further-gm-crops
• The EFSA’s FAQ on genetically modified organisms is available at: http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/faqs/faqgmo.htm, and the EFSA director’s statement on GMO Food can be found here: http://www.euractiv.com/innovation-enterprise/commission-science-supremo-endor-news-514072.

 

In regard to your second question, the United States has strong regulatory systems, and Monsanto is subject to the same regulatory processes as any other company or organization. 

 

We follow local laws regarding our efforts with governments and conduct routine audits to ensure our efforts are transparent, appropriate and legal. However, this doesn’t prevent our detractors from leveling accusations against Monsanto to discredit the broad scientific and global support that exists for GM crops. You can read more about our code of business conduct and anti-corruption policy on our website.