Genetically modified (GM) crops, all maize, were grown on more than 100,000ha (250,000 acres) in the EU last year – a 77% increase on the 2006 figure.

The news, from biotech industry association EuropaBio, comes shortly after the EU Commission approved three GM crop varieties for import as food, feed and processing and one GM sugar beet variety for use in food and feed, according to the Agricultural Biotechnology Council.

But two other GM maize varieties have come under fire from Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas and Friends of the Earth, and French prime minister Nicolas Sarkosy has imposed a temporary freeze on planting GM crops in France - at least until the spring.

“We are delighted that biotech cultivation in Europe is increasing at such a significant rate,” said ABC chairman Julian Little. “GM crops are now firmly established in Europe and are here to stay.

“The demonstrable benefits of GM crops include increased yields, reduced costs, reduced greenhouse gas emissions and a reduced environmental footprint.

“Our only concern is that the UK is being left behind in this process. British farmers could also benefit from this technology, and we look forward to them being able to being able to access appropriate GM technology soon.” 

EuropaBio said seven EU member states grew 110,077ha (272,000 acres) of GM crops last year.

French growers quadrupled their area and those in the Czech Republic and Germany doubled theirs.

Spain, the largest biotech crop producer having grown Bt maize for 10 years, increased its area by over 40%.

Bt maize, still the only GM crop that may legally be grown in the EU, resists the European corn borer a pest steadily making its way north, according to the ABC.

An Environmental Council meeting tomorrow (30 Oct) will discuss proposals on GM cultivation and import bans, noted Mr Little. 

“We are delighted to see that the uptake of biotech crops is growing despite the fact that only one product is available on the European market,” said Johan Vanhemelrijck, EuropaBio secretary general.

“The cultivation of biotech plants is legally possible in all EU countries, and we strongly urge policy makers in Europe to give all farmers the right to choose the products which they think are best to protect their crops and increase their competitiveness.”

Over 200 biotech crops are under cultivation or development in 46 countries around the world, according to the ABC.

They account for over 100m ha (240m acres), according to Monsanto’s Colin Merritt. “Over 50% of the world’s soya is GM,” he said.