BRUSSELS, May 20, 1999 - Greenpeace criticized EU Environment Commissioner Bjerregards announcement today to withhold the approval process for new genetically engineered Bt-maize but to take no action about previously approved Bt-maize varieties. The Commissioner made the announcement in response to new scientific evidence showing transgenic Bt-maize can kill butterfly larvae.

"As the European Commission finally admits that the insect killing BT- Maize potentially poses a threat to the environment their first step should be to stop the transgenic maize varieties which are presently being planted within the EU," said Greenpeace spokesperson Benny Haerlin.

The majority of existing plantings of transgenic maize is Norvartis maize "Event 176" or "Maximiser" and possibly Monsanto

"Yieldgard" (Bt- 810) grown in Spain (around 20.000 ha) and Germany (around 500 ha). "It is hard to understand how the Commission can put the approval of one Bt-Maize on hold, referring to the precautionary principle, but on the other side claim that there was no need to act on those varieties of genetically engineered maize which are already on the market and planted in Germany and Spain," Greenpeace spokesperson Benny Haerlin said.

Greenpeace urged German's environmental minister Jürgen Trittin, who discussed the issue with the organization in Hamburg today, to stop the growing of Novartis Maize in Germany. and, as president of the EU

Environmental Council to put a general moratorium for the release of GMOs on the agenda of the Councils next meeting in June. Such a moratorium has been formally proposed by the Greek government and demanded by environmental and consumers organizations, medical and scientific authorities around Europe.

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