French Monsanto research site damaged in suspected arson attack
RENNES, France (Reuters) - A
Monsanto (MON.N) research centre in western France suffered heavy fire
damage in a suspected arson attack early Wednesday morning, the official
in charge of the site said.
The
official, Jakob Witten, said police investigators "strongly suspect it
was a crime as no electrical or other sources were found."
The
fire was ignited from two different places at the site, where about 10
people work and which is specialised in maize research. The smell of
petrol lingered near the building, which had heavy damage in its
reception hall and offices.
"No
Monsanto sites in Europe have so far been the victim of fires of
criminal origin, this is unprecedented violence," Witten said.
The
U.S. agribusiness group is the frequent target of criticism in France
over concerns about genetically modified crops it has developed.
The
government said last month it would use a new European opt-out scheme
to ensure a ban on the cultivation of GM crops in France remains in
place.
(Reporting by; Pierre-Henri Allain; writing by Leigh Thomas)
